Snape the Younger

The Wedding

Narcissa Black was beautiful, a pale, delicate ice carving draped in the palest of cream silk, lace and pearls. She gave the impression of a virginal princess with her pale blonde hair flowing down her back as she glided down the central aisle of Malfoy Manor with the graceful carriage of a Pureblood lady going to meet her Pureblood lord. She was the contracted bride, indisputable prize and perfect ornament to the Malfoy line. The contract was of long standing, written and sealed at her birth some twenty two years before. Now, on the day after her twenty second birthday, they were celebrating the nuptials a full three years earlier than the contract stated.

Bellatrix followed her as her attendant, dressed in rich blue satin and lace, her long black hair piled elaborately on top of her head. She did not glide demurely like her younger sister but strode arrogantly on her sister's heels, daring the world to comment on her choice of robes. She had known her sister was contracted to Malfoy but also knew Malfoy was not particularly keen on fulfilling his obligations to her. This hasty scrambling of the ceremony was not Lucius' doing but that of his father who was dying, by all accounts. To secure the succession he was making sure Lucius married Narcy, no matter where Lucius' current interests lay. After all, it was Snape himself who had set the precedence of defying a parent to do as he pleased and the fate of the Family could go hang! Bella always loved an enemy and in Snape she seemed to have gained an opponent worthy of her attention. She would annihilate him if he stood in her sister's way!

At the end of the hall on the raised dais the Malfoy Master of Rites and the Black Master of Rites stood side by side ready to perform the Binding of Fates. Below and to the far left of the dais stood Malfoy Senior, leaning heavily on his attendant, his face aged and creased with pain and fatigue. It was his impending death that had forced his son to hurry the service along, and his son had only agreed to humour him. True, it was Severus who made the potions that would prolong his life by much more than his healers or mediwizards predicted but no matter how good Severus was, he could not perpetuate the line of Malfoy into the future, so the wedding was going ahead early!

In the centre of the space stood two tall figures dressed in black. The taller of the two on the left was all in black, long hair draped across his shoulders glinting blue in the candle light. His robes absorbed the light and made no concession to the cause of the gathering, a long thin pillar of darkness in the gaily bedecked hall.

The second figure was blond, as white blond as the bride, and his outer robes were of embroidered black velvet, the patterns swirling and seemingly moving as the candlelight flickered. As they turned to watch the approach of the bride, he revealed a snow white under-robe glittering with diamonds and pearls to match the bride's finery. He smiled in satisfaction when he saw his wife to be, she was indeed beautiful, gorgeous enough to wear the Malfoy jewels and take his deceased mother's place as the Malfoy Matriarch.

The service began, the Masters of the Rites speaking the time-worn words over the couple before them. Narcissa handed her bouquet to Bella, Lucius his cane to Severus and both took hands, completing the infinity symbol of joining. The ball of magic swelled before them, both peering into it to see if a glimpse of their future could be garnered as was usual at weddings. Both saw the usual wealth, happiness and children as they were expecting and both were happy enough as the Masters closed the rite, pronouncing them man and wife. Both leaned forward and touched lips briefly, two blond heads making an arch over their joined hands to be immortalised forever by the official photographer.

Over their bent heads, Bella and Severus clashed gazes, each promising mayhem if their respective charge was caused pain by the other in any way. As the couple straightened and began to move out of the hall, arm in arm, the two attendants came together, Severus offering his arm in the time honoured-form. Bella pursed her lips and laid a long thin hand on the black velvet of his sleeve, feeling the rigid muscle under the rich fabric and wondering if there was more to the boy than there seemed.

The newlyweds left the hall and proceeded to the withdrawing room where they would stay until the house-elves had had a chance to lay out the feast and the guests had all arrived. As soon as the parlour door closed, Bella dropped Snape's arm and turned to smile at her sister, a genuine smile.

"You did look fine, Narcy," she commented, hurrying across to remove the light veil from her sister's hair and resettle the tiara of diamonds and pearls that had held the spider silk in place.

"Indeed, I must agree with my new sister, you did look fine as you came down the hall. I like the way you moved, gracefully gliding," Lucius murmured in her ear making her blush prettily and turn a flower face to his sun.

"Thank you, Lucius, I was so nervous, couldn't you tell?" she breathed softly in his ear, lowering her eyes demurely as she stroked his arm.

Lucius shook his head just a little, as he led her to a sofa and seated her gracefully. "Pour us a drink, Severo, there should be some champagne in the bucket."

Severus bowed slightly and moved away to the sideboard to do the honours as Bellatrix turned to stare down at her new brother-in-law. "Was it really politically correct to ask your current lover to stand up as your best man at your wedding?" she hissed flatly.

"A best man is someone you trust and like. Since I trust Severo with my life and that of my father, and since he is my best friend, then yes, he was the only choice for best man," Lucius replied pleasantly, and smiled over her shoulder to where Severus was standing behind her, smiling blandly. "Isn't that right, Severo?"

Severus snorted softly as he handed the bridal couple their glasses before turning to gather the glasses for Bella and himself. "Shall I propose a toast to the happy couple? And despite popular opinion," he smirked knowingly at Bella. "I do wish you both happy."

Narcissa bowed her head gracefully and Lucius impulsively held out his hand to his best friend and lover, kissing the knuckles when Severus took his hand. Narcissa glanced up from under her brows, and Severus was very glad she had not mastered a silent Avada Kadavra or he would have been dead on the spot. Still, he had to admire the way the small, demure smile on her lips never faltered.

"How long do we have to stay cooped up in here?" Bella asked flinging herself down on one of the armchairs while Severus took the other.

"Perhaps half an hour," Severus answered and summoned an elf who appeared instantly and laid a small table with a selection of delicacies he had pre-ordered. "I wasn't sure what you ladies would prefer but feel free to express any wish and it will be granted as fast as the elf can travel."

Bella expected Lucius to at least protest the usurping of his authority as host but he seemed very content to have Severus pass plates and serve choice delicacies with a grace that was most admirable. Taking her plate, she surveyed the selection and chose something that looked like jellied eel on toast points. It was, and it was delicious, she conceded grudgingly as she settled back in her chair. "So, Snape, still a grubby schoolboy?" she taunted, smiling silkily at him across the width of the hearthrug.

Severus smiled back equally sweetly. "Definitely," he purred, lifting his glass in a mock toast. The stains around his carefully manicured fingernails stood out starkly against his pale flesh.

"Oh? I thought you finished Hogwarts last year?" Narcissa said naively, making Severus snort and her sister roll her eyes.

"I am attending the College of Potion Makers," Severus clarified smoothly. "And yes, Bella, I'm still a scruffy schoolboy for another year or two at least."

"Then you are not going to finish the course?" Bella asked in mocking astonishment. "It does take three years to become a potions brewer, doesn't it?"

"Usually, but I have managed to - compress - my studies," he smiled into his glass without looking up.

"What Severo is too modest to say is that he has managed to fit four years of study into two and will be an accredited Potions Master by this time next year, pretty brilliant, humm?" Lucius grinned at the thin boy who actually blushed a little.

Bella was impressed but not pleased with that titbit of information. "Yes, but did you learn it thoroughly?" she demanded testily.

"Well enough to rewrite two of the blasted text books," Severus snapped, draining the glass in one gulp, then he cursed himself silently for letting the bitch get to him. "They were appallingly out of date and quite inaccurate in places. It was an interesting exercise," he murmured, managing to save the situation as Lucius laughed.

"If you could have heard what he called some of the most illustrious Potions Masters of our era, you would have laughed yourself into fits too," the blond chuckled. "Narcissa, would you like some more champagne?" he offered when he saw her empty glass.

"Better not, I should really eat something before I indulge further. I wouldn't want to appear wobbly in public, now would I?" Narcissa fluttered her eyelashes as she smiled ruefully. Lucius assured her she would never appear ungraceful in his eyes while Severus merely blinked and offered more food.

~~*~~

The Malfoys had outdone themselves in the preparation and presenting of the nuptial feast. Food circled on platters, drinks and snacks, anything a spoilt palate could wish for was present to be sampled. Severus never liked eating in public and had retired to a dim corner with a plate of prawns and oysters in a light egg batter. Hidden from most people he could enjoy his repast in peace without the whispers of speculation and even the odd open invitation following him wherever he turned. Some people were vulgar in their attempts to satisfy their curiosity about his and Lucius' relationship.

A quiet step made him glare ferociously at the intruder, then lower his head in apology when he recognised the tall figure invading his space. "Abraxas," he murmured as the old man took the seat next to him with a soundless grunt. "May I offer you a drink?"

Lord Malfoy smiled when the boy who had all but lived in his son's pockets swirled a decanter of the best firewhiskey in his direction with a faint smile. "Should I be tempted, Severus?"

"One small sip in honour of your son's wedding day should not hurt you," Severus told him calmly as he poured a finger of the purloined brew into a glass.

"It had to be done, you know," the old man said after a quiet time of contemplating the sparks in his glass. "If only you were female, Severus, I would have welcomed you with open arms. Pity one of your potions couldn't have arranged that."

"Sex change in a bottle? It's possible, so is male pregnancy, but not my idea of a fun thing to do," Severus mused then gave the older man a genuine smile at his shocked and slightly speculative look. "I'm gay, Abraxas, not transgender, there is a difference."

The old man shook his head and laughed wheezily. "You are such a dour child; I forget you do have a sense of humour locked up in that long head of yours. So, are you terribly upset that Lucius is now married? Contrary to popular opinion, I do care about your welfare and your happiness. If I knew it wouldn't offend you, I would say you have been like a second son to me, but I know how you feel about fathers."

Severus stiffened then relented at the man's kind sentiments. "Thank you, I do appreciate that, in my own dour way," he mocked but not unkindly, making the man smile again.

"Well, my boy, don't hide in the shadows all night, go out and face them all down, dance with the bride and the bridesmaid, bitch that she is, and perhaps even dance with Lucius - if you get the chance - rub their noses in it completely. After all, you are as well - if not better - bred than that pack of hyenas, waiting to devour the weak and fawn over the strong, or both." He rose creakily and patted one bony shoulder as he moved on to greet the next guest at the reception.

Severus sat and thought about his friend's father while finishing off his supper then rose smoothly and went to wreak some havoc with his presence.

~~*~~

"Is that Severus Snape? I thought he was dead?" the whispers were rife as Severus glided across the ballroom and presented himself to the bride who looked at him as if he had crawled out from under a rock. His smirk dared her to refuse even as he asked her to stand up with him for the mazurka. Lucius' laughing eyes danced between the two of them, almost daring his bride to refuse his lover the dance. She narrowed her gaze then suddenly smiled sweetly as she took the offered hand and rose to her full height. Even with the four-inch heels she had chosen, she was still dwarfed by the man.

Ignoring the whispers and speculation, Severus led the ice princess to the middle of the floor and bowed punctiliously before taking both her hands and beginning the steps. Narcissa's innate grace carried her as she overcame her surprise at his ability to dance, he was good! They moved through the forms silently until the whispers died a natural death before either dared to say a word that might be overheard.

"Lucius has told me you are treating his father for the sickness that has claimed him," she began as they paced the crossover steps lightly.

"True, I brew his medicine and have been quite successful in slowing the progress of the disease."

"I'm glad; he seems to be a nice man. However, I am not pleased that Lucius feels you will not be leaving Malfoy Manor."

"Also true, Abraxas is too ill to be left alone and even a moment's delay in altering the composition of his potion may prove fatal."

"Then I must insist you stay out of Lucius' bedchamber," she said firmly as the couples around them waltzed in time.

"Lucius' bed? Do you mean the Heir's Chambers? Why would I bother invading his bed when we have our own bed? Oh, how silly of me, I hadn't realised you were not au fait with the arrangements here at Malfoy. There are the Master's chambers where Abraxas and his attendant are housed. Then there are the Heir's Chambers consisting of the Lady Suite, where you will be housed, and the Heir's Suite where Lucius is now sleeping. I have a suite in the guest wing where I stay when I am here at Malfoy Manor which is as far from the Heir's Chambers as is possible without being inconvenient."

"Convenient for whom?" she snapped before reining her temper in.

"Not for you obviously," Severus murmured as they bowed to the finale of the music. He had to be impressed that she didn't slap him or storm off but instead smiled sweetly, taking the arm he offered with a small, demure curtsey.

"I will take him from you," she promised with an iron clad will.

"You may of course try, but not tonight, tonight we present a united front to the Pureblood world, all cosy tight and all right with the world. I think I will ask your sister to dance, I like playing with explosives and fires."

Narcissa laughed in genuine amusement that did not go unnoticed by those who scrutinised their every move. "You will make a good match for each other," she commented as he led her back to her new husband's side. "Bella, dear, do dance with Severus, he is very light on his feet and quite a divine dancer, not really a talent you would associate with such a dark and gawky lump, is it?"

Lucius winced at the barb but Severus merely raised an eyebrow and smirked in her sister's direction. "If you dare," he taunted almost silently, making her eyes narrow dangerously and her wand hand twitch.

"Of course I will dance with your dear Severus, it's time we got to know each other properly. After all, we will probably be seeing much more of each other in the future, won't we, Severo," she hissed, claws digging into the velvet covered arm he held out to her.

"Indeed we will, Bella," he agreed, ignoring the trickle of blood that was edging its way down his arm from her sharp nails.

As they took their places on the floor the music changed and Severus' head shot up in horror. Turning, he glared at where Lucius and Narcissa were obviously creased over in laughter, Lucius' hand still raised in a signal to the musicians. Turning back to Bella he glared down as she glared up in fury. "They did this on purpose," he hissed furiously.

"Of course they did. Are you man enough for it?" she hissed back without moving her lips.

"Try me," he rose to the challenge as the lush sounds of the tango flowed over them.

Their tango was more like an apache dance at times but it was raw and passionate and enough to make a few ladies fan themselves as the couple burned up the floor together. As Bella was spun out then spun back she noticed the trickle of blood on Severus' wrist and almost defiantly licked it off in a frozen moment before spinning away again. As the music crashed to a halt, Lucius wondered if he should make sure the cutlery was out of reach but then Bella burst out laughing and patted Severus' cheek before letting him lead her off the floor.

"Now that was a tango," she exclaimed with a grin as she caught up the nearest champagne glass and downed the contents in one go. "We'll have to do that again some time," she murmured as she sauntered off, still panting and laughing.

"Not in this lifetime," Severus muttered, shaking his head and glaring at the newlyweds before smiling ruefully. "That was not nice. Just remember, we have the gift opening to get through yet and there are always certain moments that can be, shall we say, exploited?"

~~*~~

There were gifts from every conceivable source, business acquaintances, cadet family branches, friends and relatives. Severus had to admire Narcissa's grace under fire when yet another silver cruet set was unwrapped and stood beside the four others already decorating the sideboard. Lesser acquaintances and business associates were almost obliged by the rules of etiquette to give some sort of silver gift, a salver, a cruet set, a tea or coffee service, anything as long as it was silver.

There was a clock that told the position of each family member with space for half a dozen hands which made Narcissa blush at the implication. She was even more agitated when she unpacked the hands and found there were already three of them. Lucius smiled down at her and carefully made the Severus hand disappear into his pocket before any of the guests could see it. He also made note of the sender, unsure if he was going to reward or punish his board members.

Most gifts were innocuous, a photo album with pictures from Narcissa's past from her cousins, a set of his and hers robes which enhanced the beauty of the wearer. Uncle Milarus Malfoy gave them a pair of silver rings which were guaranteed to bring the wearers happiness. Great Aunt Cassiopeia Black had sent a pair of towels which did nothing but dry whoever used them but then Great Aunt Cassiopeia had always been strange that way. Walden had an odd sense of humour and had sent them a hand of glory, just the thing for decorating the dungeons, he shrugged later.

Finally the pile of gifts was reduced to three small bundles, a plain box wrapped in silver paper, an elaborate gold affair and a small blue bundle, tied with a star spangled ribbon. Narcissa clapped her hands in excitement and played a childish rhyme game to choose which one to open first. The elaborate gold box won and she carefully began to pull the ribbons away. Inside were two cut glass decanters, mounted in gold with delicately tinted potions inside, one the palest of blue, one the palest of pink.

Lucius looked across to where Severus was leaning against a pillar, a question in his eyes but the dark youth merely shook his head a little. Puzzled, he looked down and saw Narcissa had a golden card in her hands, a wide eyed look of pleasure on her face.

"It's from Lord Voldemort," she exclaimed breathlessly. "To keep you both forever young," she read and clutched the card to her chest. "Oh my, Youth Dew!"

"Oh my, indeed, youth potions are notoriously hard to get hold of and such handsome decanters," Abraxas commented, also glancing across at Severus who was smirking slightly. Now the older man knew what his young friend had been up to for the past two weeks.

"Which one next?" Lucius asked his new bride, making her put the box down and choose between the last two parcels.

"Take the silver one, Narcy," an inebriated cousin called laughingly.

"Alright, we will," she giggled and pulled the ribbon which set free a cloud of butterflies and fairies to sparkle in the air. "Oh, it's, it's odd, a bunch of keys!" She exclaimed pulling out the bundle and examining the huge, old fashioned black iron key surrounded by many other smaller keys of various designs curiously.

Lucius' eyes went wide as he turned to stare at his father, a question on his lips. "The keys to the Manor?" he asked quietly. "But, but you are still alive."

"Oh, I know but it's best for the old place to have a new Master and Mistress, get you both settled into the routines and responsibilities before... well, before."

"Oh, thank you, Father Abraxas," Narcissa gushed, bouncing up to kiss her new father-in-law on the cheek exuberantly. "What a fabulous, fabulous notion, and such a beautiful gift."

Abraxas kissed her forehead back and sent her off to open the last gift, the small blue bundle that rustled like parchment. Inside were a gift certificate and a piece of carved olive wood, an unusual sort of a gift. The carved wooden plaque was a portkey that would take the bearers to the Sun Rider where they would enjoy a private cruise with stopovers wherever they chose for as long as they chose. The certificate, inside its elaborate curlicues and calligraphy, said that the bearers were to be treated better than royalty aboard the luxury yacht moored in the Aegean Sea and ready for their honeymoon.

"What a delightful surprise!" Narcissa exclaimed, throwing her arms around Lucius' neck and kissing him soundly. "How did you guess I have always wanted to go on a real yacht in a real ocean?"

"I didn't, the gift is from Severus," Lucius whispered in her ear and laughed as she stiffened. "Don't even think of making a scene, it is a beautiful gift and he has chosen it for both of us so we will enjoy every second, do you understand?"

"Of course I understand," Narcissa muttered back, her delight only slightly tarnished. "But if Severus is giving us a honeymoon, then what are you giving me?" she added as she let him go and smiled around. "I have a gift for Lucius, I hope he likes it, only a little one, mind, but I'll have to give it to him later, and it's not that, you terrible people," she exclaimed with a mock pout as a few of the more raucous cousins and friends made crude comments.

Lucius rose to the occasion splendidly. "I thought we would first go to Paris and Milan and do a little shopping for some holiday clothes, to get us into the mood for our wonderful cruise. I'm quite sure you will find something on the Continent for the perfect gift." He laughed as she flung herself at him again.

"A toast, people. To the bride and groom, when the going gets tough, the tough go shopping!" Bella shrieked in laughter, spilling champagne around liberally, the crowd taking up her toast with semi-drunken affability.

~~*~~

The newly weds had braved the barrage of rice as they slipped away to the family wing, cheers and laughter sending them on their way, wishes for a busy night and a fruitful union ringing in their ears. The musicians played more dance music as the guests slowly departed, those too drunk to leave given lodgings for the night or apparated out by their long suffering spouses. As the great ballroom cleared, Severus detached himself from his hiding place and directed the staff and house elves to clean up the mess in the morning. There was a wave of thanks from the weary staff and a few squeaks of appreciation as the servants departed, leaving him alone in the middle of the room.

"What will you do now, Severus?"

The voice came out of nowhere and had him spinning on his heel, his wand out and a hex on his lips. He just managed not to say anything as he recognised the tall, dark-haired wizard who was strolling toward him across the now scuffed dance floor. "My Lord," he murmured, bowing his head.

"What will you do now Severus?" the Lord reiterated softly as he approached.

Severus shrugged. "Go to bed, get some sleep, see what tomorrow brings, I suppose. I know what you are asking, I'm not stupid but I can't answer you at this point. Lucius is my friend and my lover, the two positions are so intertwined, I cannot change one without affecting the other. Abraxas is my friend yet he has arranged this wedding, I know and accept the reasons why but I can't help feeling...."

"Discarded? Ah my Severus, one day you will realise that people move on and things change. It is not always a bad thing, just a fact of life and you too will be able to change and move on, and I will be waiting for you." Lord Voldemort smiled gently, cupping the young man's cheek before moving away toward the family wing. "Go to bed Severus, wake up in the morning and know there is always a future. I must see Abraxas before he sleeps. Good night, my Severus."

"Good night, my Lord." Their footsteps faded into the night.

26.04.2006