'Till Death Do Us Part

Thanks go to my "terrific trio" of Betas: Doug, Al, and Yael: You are the greatest!

‘Til Death Do Us Part

by Parker Brown Nesbit

Chapter 1 Hidden Behind the Lies

Severus Snape knocked on the door of the Headmaster’s Office. He had been summoned here from his job in London. He didn’t know the reason for the summons, but he thought it might have something to do with Alastor Moody and Marius Malfoy. He’d tipped off the Ministry about the latest killing. Am I two-faced or what? Spying against my friends. No, he told himself. Your former friends. Fools who will believe anything the Dark Lord tells them.

Dumbledore’s voice came to him, muffled through the door. ‘Come in.’ Severus opened the door to find that someone was already in the office with the Headmaster. The only part of her he could see as he entered was a cloud of black hair.

‘Ah, Severus. So good of you to join us,’ Dumbledore smiled at him. ‘Sit down, please. I’d like you to—‘

The owner of the black hair turned to face him and Snape felt himself go weak at the knees. She wasn’t a classic beauty by any means. It was her eyes that caused his reaction. They were mismatched—one was emerald green, with amber flecks, the other was the same emerald green, except that it was neatly halved with brown, and had the same amber flecks. He felt suddenly naked, as if those eyes could see down to his very soul.

‘H-hello,’ he said, extending a hand. His parents may have been the scum of the earth, but at least they had taught him manners.

Damara ignored his stuttering greeting. ‘Hello, Severus,’ she said quietly. ‘It’s been a while, hasn’t it?’

Severus remembered her from the last times he had seen her—at the morgue when he’d gotten word that Lucina was dead and when he’d been captured and she had interrogated him. The only thing was, he didn’t remember her looking quite like that.

Curiosity piqued, Snape sat down next to Damara. ‘Why was I brought in here?’ he blurted. Damara merely smiled at him and waited for Dumbledore to speak.

Reintroductions over, Dumbledore got down to business. ‘Marius Malfoy was caught a month ago on a tip from Damara. He has worked a deal whereby he will spy for us, with Damara married to him to keep an eye on him,’ he looked at Damara, who continued,

‘The thing is, none of us think he’s really given up his fealty to Voldemort. Obviously, I can’t be at Death Eater meetings. So, Severus, you’ve been chosen. You’re a friend, also a spy, you’ll be best man at the wedding—‘

‘How did you know?’ Snape interrupted. He’d only learned about Malfoy’s impending wedding the night before.

She grinned. ‘I talked to him this morning. He told me then. Lucius is best man, you, Goyle and Crabbe are groomsmen, Rosier and Avery are ushers,’ she said, witheringly, ‘My whole bloody wedding is going to be populated by Death Eaters, with a few notable exceptions.’

‘Me, for one, only they don’t know it.’ Snape answered, his voice dripping with sarcasm.

‘Right,’ she smiled at him. ‘So you’ll do it?’

‘I already am a spy, what’s to be different?’ he sneered. ‘Malfoy was my best friend—if you can call it that—when we were here. He was also my brother-in-law until…’ Snape’s throat constricted. …until my sister was killed. He should be easy to get information from,’ he had regained his composure.

‘My thoughts exactly. The difference is you’ll have someone to work with now,’ she said.

An hour later, Damara and Severus were in Hogsmeade, sitting at a table in the Three Broomsticks. Neither of them had to return to work that day. ‘What do Lucius and Narcissa think about all this?’

‘They’re not too happy about it. Of course, the feeling’s mutual. Narcissa’s the ice maiden from hell, and Lucius… I really can’t stand the man. He’s—I don’t know how to describe it. He gives me the willies. Marius is just like him. Suave, sophisticated. A total bastard… I’m totally out of my league and I know it.’

He had the feeling she would be comfortable anywhere and with anyone, rich or poor, suave or not, wizard or Muggle. ‘Will your family be there?’

She grimaced. ‘Not bloody likely. When I owled them about the wedding, they all told me off for marrying a Slytherin. I can hear my gran now, "What’s a Gryffindor doing marrying one of those horrible people?" I merely told her they weren’t all horrible. I have to keep up the bloody charade, even with my friends and family,’ she looked miserable for a moment. She reminds me of Lucina... he thought. Maybe that’s why I want to put my arms around her and tell her everything will work out in the end. She looked up, caught his eye, and grinned. ‘Change of subject. What have you been doing with yourself the past few years?’

‘Working as a potions-mixer for a firm of idiots,’ the bitterness was evident in his voice. ‘I’ve been there two years, and I’m still in the same position.’

Damara knew this already, but gave no hint of that to the man sitting across from her. ‘I recall you inventing a couple of potions when we were in school. You were a genius at it. Always first in the class.’

‘Followed closely by you, if memory serves,’ he took a drink of butterbeer from his mug, looked up, and found himself looking into those mismatched eyes, which unnerved him. Again. ‘And you, working with Alastor Moody as an Auror?’

‘Don’t I strike you as the type?’ her voice was sarcastic.

‘No.’

‘Why?’

‘You’re far too small, you’re far too young, and you’re far too—‘

He was interrupted by her laughter, low and slightly husky. He was embarrassed. He’d never been good at small talk, he’d always felt slightly uncomfortable with women, and now, here was one laughing at him.

‘Don’t be offended, Severus. It’s a common misconception;’ she smiled, ‘which has proved to be a distinct advantage. People have a tendency to not take me seriously. Oh, the Headmaster does, my fellow Gryffindors did. But you can see what I mean. I’m hoping that Malfoy—Marius—will do the same. Underestimate me. Think of me as just a sweet, loving wife.’ Her voice grew hard. ‘Then I can nail the bastard,’ her eyes had a look of steely determination and Snape was suddenly very glad that he had not seen that side of her personality when he had been brought in for questioning. He thanked every deity he knew that he wouldn’t have to be in a position for her to possibly kill him. He definitely wouldn’t want to be in Malfoy’s shoes once she had the evidence to put him away. Damara looked at her watch. ‘Oh cripes! I had an appointment at Gladrags five minutes ago. Owl me if you hear anything about anything. I’m your contact person.’

Then she was gone. He sat there for a little while, and then drained the remainder of his butterbeer, went to the counter to pay for his drink, discovered that Damara had already done so, and Apparated back to his dingy flat in London.

#########################

A week later, he received a letter from Dumbledore.

Severus,

Could you please meet me in my office at 4.00 tomorrow afternoon? I have already arranged for you to be off work.

Albus Dumbledore

He called Merlin, his raven, to him, and sent his reply immediately.

Headmaster,

Yes, I will be there at 4.00.

Severus Snape

Has there been some new development? Does the Headmaster regret his decision to use me as a spy? Have I been found out? Did Malfoy see us in the Three Broomsticks? That last thought was the most troublesome. Malfoy was insanely possessive about hiswomen. Why is that? He certainly doesn’t treat them well at all. Lucina was proof of that. The number of times I saw her crying over something he did to her… How will Damara handle Malfoy? She can certainly take care of herself; she has to be strong both mentally and physically to do the work she does. But does she know just how much of a total bastard he can be? Why the hell am I thinking about Damara Sutherland? I once called her a sprite. Unbidden, a scene from their fourth year formed itself in his head of a tiny little elfin girl who sometimes bested him in Potions class. But she was nice to me. When everyone else teased me, she stood up for me. Why am I thinking about her now?

He didn’t sleep well that night. That was not out of the ordinary; he usually didn’t sleep well. Nightmares invaded his sleep when he did sleep. Nightmares of his father usually, screaming at him, and beating him, and the night time visits where he would… For some reason, those nightmares, and worse, nightmares of his last killing as a Death Eater recurred this night. He woke several times during the night, each time in a cold sweat, heart racing. The last time was the worst of them all. His last killing—the face of the child just before he gave voice to the killing curse—the way he’d gone outside after it was over and been violently ill. He woke again, shaking, and soaked in sweat. ‘Stop it, Severus. Just stop thinking about it,’ he said to the walls. He finally slept toward dawn.

He went to his job, did his work, and a little before 4.00, he Apparated to a place he knew just outside Hogwarts’ grounds. He walked quickly up to the oak doors of the castle, went in, and headed to the headmaster’s office. Before he could knock on the door, it opened, and Dumbledore was standing there, inviting him in.

‘Please, sit down. Can I offer you anything?’

‘No, thank you.’

‘I called you here today for something very simple. Well, two things, really. The first is Professor Galloway has decided to retire. I was wondering if you would like the job? It does have its benefits; besides teaching, you would be responsible for all of the potions needed by Madame Pomfrey, as well as any additional potions the other professors might wish you to make. You may run your classes as you see fit. Of course, you may also do any personal potions making here.’

Snape couldn’t believe his ears. Finally, a chance to leave that horrible place where he toiled away under-utilised and under appreciated and to get rid of that horrible flat that was most definitely not home. He’d never considered teaching as a career, but the desire to pass on his knowledge to another generation was alluring; as was the making of potions for medicinal purposes. ‘Potions Master? Here, at Hogwarts? Yes, very much. If the Board agrees.’

‘It does. You have Damara to thank for that. They were rather hesitant, considering your age, but she spoke on your behalf. Quite eloquently, too.’

He would have to find some way of thanking her. Flowers, maybe? Dumbledore continued, ‘I also want you to keep a watch on Damara. I know that she knows what she’s doing, she couldn’t possibly be so successful otherwise, but in my opinion, Marius Malfoy is a dangerous man. The two of you are friends, former in-laws, so it won’t look suspicious if you visit their house quite a bit.’

‘Very well,’ Snape replied. He had a sharp, vivid picture of his sister’s body as he saw it when he was asked to identify it. He wouldn’t want Damara to end up like that. ‘Why did she agree to do this? She knows he’s dangerous.’ She had been one of the people there at the morgue when he’d been called in to identify Lucina’s body.

‘Damara would probably say that it’s all a part of the job description of an Auror,’ Dumbledore’s blue eyes were serious. ‘Her brother was murdered by Death Eaters. She’s made it a personal vendetta to rid our world of them.’

Snape was unaware of that fact. So, she was more than just a pretty face and a pawn in the ministry’s game. She’d asked for this herself. Hmm, a very complex woman, it seemed. He was contemplating this as he left Dumbledore’s office, walked down to the oak doors and out into the sunshine.

####################################

Narcissa Malfoy had insisted on planning the wedding. Damara had fought with her over details, then had given up and let her do as she wished, with the exception of three things. Damara had chosen her own attendants, she had insisted on Dumbledore to officiate, and Alastor Moody was to give her away in the absence of her father. She wouldn’t enjoy planning an event like this at the best of times; she was much more into the "do it quiet and quick" type of wedding, but then, she hadn’t found the right wizard for herself, either. She paused at the door of Gladrags Wizard Wear, took a deep breath, and went inside. There was a dazzling array of robes hung up all along the walls of the shop. Blue, green, purple; every colour of the rainbow, it seemed. Some of them were distinctly gaudy. She saw no white robes, however. A sales wizard came over to her.

‘Might I be of assistance?’

‘Yes, I’m looking for robes for a wedding.’

‘We have these…’ The woman gestured to a rack of rainbow-coloured robes.

‘I’m the bride.’ It was a testament to her fortitude that she kept the bitterness in her voice to a bare minimum.

‘Please, follow me, then.’ Damara was led into a smaller room where robes of white and ivory hung. It didn’t take her long to choose one, pay for it, and exit the shop.

########################################

Malfoy Manor had not changed since he’d visited it last. It stood imposingly on a small rise of land looking sombre and impressive. When he had first joined the Death Eaters, Lucius had been kind enough (or so he thought) to offer one of his dungeon rooms as a workshop for making potions. He had practically lived with the family for a while. He found himself in the entrance hall, where a house elf waited to show him into the main hall.

It was already full of people. Taking a deep breath, he entered the room, keeping to its outside edges. The gods know; I hate this sort of thing. Why am I here? He saw Marius, talking intently with Lucius. Narcissa was circulating, making sure that everything was perfect and giving the house elves a hard time when it wasn’t. He didn’t see Damara anywhere at first; of course, she would be hard to find, she was so tiny. He raked his eyes around the room once more and finally spotted her, leaning against the wall, looking lonely. He made his way over to her.

‘Hello.’

She looked up and smiled at him. ‘Hello yourself.’ She was wearing robes of a deep blue-purple tonight, and her hair was caught up in an ornate gold band that was decorated with Celtic figures. Again, he felt himself go weak at the knees, and he reminded himself that in just a very short time she would be someone else’s wife.

‘Enjoying the party?’ he asked, for something to say to her. Idle conversation most definitely was not his strong suit.

‘No. As a matter of fact, I wish I were anywhere else but here-- I’m not really the party type.’ ‘Get me out of here, please!’ she said into his mind. He looked startled for a moment, ‘You read—‘

‘Ssh,’ she put a finger to her lips.

‘Won’t Malfoy notice you’re gone?’

‘See him over there? He’s not likely to notice my absence with Lucius anywhere in the vicinity, ‘ her voice was bemused.

‘Very well. Let’s go.’ He hadn’t known he had the ability to do this with anyone other than Lucina.

He hesitated a moment before he took her hand and led her down a maze of corridors until they came to one with a trapdoor. Opening this, he went down a set of narrow stairs and then turned to help her down. ‘Incendiarum,’ he muttered and the candles in the wall sconces began to burn. ‘My workshop,’ he said, ‘Or at least it was. I accepted the position.

Damara looked around her. The room was large and well lit from the many candles that were now burning brightly. Shelves and cabinets lined the walls and cauldrons stood on the floor, ready to be used. All was impeccably clean and neat. Well-ordered, her mother would have said. ‘So, you’ll be giving this up. Have you told Lucius yet?’

‘Not yet. I daresay he’ll be pleased. I’ll be near the headmaster, so to their way of thinking I’ll be in the perfect position to pass on information to them.

He walked over to the counter that lined one wall. ‘It was generous of Lucius to offer this to me. I had the run of the manor—well, insofar as Lucius kept a room for me as well as letting me work here.’ A wistful smile crossed his face, but it was quickly replaced by his usual countenance.

‘What kind of potions—‘

‘Poisons, mostly. I’m working on one now that leaves no trace in the body,’ he sneered. ‘The Dark Lord considers my potions-making talent a definite plus. I’d like to use this one on him.’

‘May I be present if you get a chance to?’

He was surprised for a moment at the vehemence in her voice, but then remembered Dumbledore telling him that this was a personal vendetta as well as a professional one.

‘How did your brother die?’ he asked quietly. Normally, he wouldn’t have done so, but Damara intrigued him.

‘Murdered. By Voldemort,’ she said the name unflinchingly. She obviously agreed with Dumbledore, who believed that one should never be afraid of a name. ‘They were asleep in their beds, safely at home—so they thought. The next thing they knew, there were people with masks standing over them and after a few well-chosen words, they were killed. They never stood a chance, Severus. The whole family, wiped out in a flash of green light.’ Her voice was angry and bitter.

‘Were you close?’ he asked, wanting them to be. Lucina. Like Lucina and me. Close as twins, even though she was five years my elder. The one I could tell my secrets and fears to. The only one.

‘Yes, very. Very much like you and Lucina.’

He looked startled for the second time that evening. ‘You’re a mind-reader, aren’t you?’

‘Yes. I know what you’re thinking, as well as what you’re feeling.’

Lovely. Now I’ll have no private thoughts at all—ever—when she’s around.

‘I do have the grace not to show it, though. I’ll never betray your thoughts.’

‘You knew what I was thinking about when we sat next to each other in Potions?’

‘Yes. I’ll just add that I thought the same thing about Professor Galloway,’ she grinned, an impish, conspiratorial grin.

Damn, she’s beautiful when she grins like that. I wonder…No. She’s about to marry your best friend. Don’t even think it. Even though he told himself not to, he couldn’t help it. She looked beautiful tonight, the colour of her robes somehow enhancing the colour of her eyes.

They continued talking and had no idea how long they had been away from the party. The door suddenly burst open, and there was Malfoy, filling up the doorway with his presence, even though he was not a large man. He came down the stairs from the trapdoor and into the room.

‘Snape!’ he spat. ‘And you here too,’ he moved across the room and grabbed Damara by the arm. ‘You’re coming back with me. Lucius was right. You are a crafty bitch, aren’t you?’ he twisted her arm, and she winced.

‘I’ll come back with you if you’ll let me go, Marius.’ Her voice was low, but it held a menace that possibly only Severus could hear in it. ‘Severus only wanted to show me his workshop and tell me what he has been doing with his potions making. It’s something we’re both interested in,’ she looked at him sweetly. ‘It’s nothing for you to be upset about,’ she said.

‘Crucio.’ Marius whispered, his wand seemingly materialising out of nowhere, and Severus saw Damara’s body stiffen imperceptibly. She didn’t cry out in pain, and he admired her for it. He made a movement as if to reach for his wand, but Damara projected her thoughts into his mind, ‘No. Let him have his fun. Wait.’ Malfoy left the curse on long enough for her to feel its effects, but not to do any serious damage. ‘Finite Incantatem.’ He was still holding her tightly by the arm.

She whispered into his ear, with a voice full of venom. ‘You will regret that, you --’ he yanked her out of the room and up the stairs to the main floor.

Severus watched them leave with mixed emotions. There was the instinct to protect her from Malfoy’s wrath and there was also the knowledge that she was trained to handle people exactly like him. I could put the Cruciatus Curse on him and never blink an eye. Or better yet, Avada Kedavra. Right now. Without a thought…or regret. No, not yet. Best to wait and see what Damara has planned for him. That will be a joy to witness.

Malfoy dragged her into a vacant room and shut the door. ‘Never do that to me again, woman!’

‘What?’ Damara could see where she had done nothing wrong. ‘Talk to Severus? If I recall, he is your best friend. He will be visiting us, and I can’t be rude, now can I?’ her voice was tinged with exasperation.

Malfoy slapped her. ‘You know very well what I mean, Damara,’ he spat. ‘Leaving our guests like that, disappearing like that.’

‘Was I supposed to stick by your side and be ignored all evening, then, Marius?’ she snarled. ‘Avery was appraising me like I was some brood mare, your friends Crabbe and Goyle were closely behind him, and Evan Rosier tried to pinch my arse!’ her voice turned sweet, ‘Keep them under control, please. They make me uncomfortable, sniffing around me like that. She placed a hand on his arm, ‘and another thing, Marius. Never do anything like that again, or there will be hell to pay.’

He ignored what she had to say, and stated quite emphatically, ‘From now on, you will be a Malfoy. You will act like one, which means staying by my side at parties, and entertaining our guests. Do you understand?’

‘Yes,’ she answered, her voice flat. She’d thought she’d be able to pull this one off, but clearly she was in over her head. Malfoy turned to leave, then turned to glare at her. Their eyes met briefly—cold fury-- and she followed him back to the party.

#####################################

She had gone straight home from the engagement party, pulled off her robes, showered, put on her favourite nightshirt, and was pouring herself a whiskey when there was a knock on her door. ‘Damn,’ she said, and then went to answer it.

Severus stood in her doorway, looking anxious and uncomfortable at the same time.

‘Please, come in,’ she said, although all she really wanted to do was drink her whiskey and go to bed.

He followed her in and stood in the living room of her cottage, looking slightly ill at ease. He hadn’t had a chance to get her alone again after Malfoy had taken her from the room; he’d made sure that she had stayed by his side for the remainder of the evening. He certainly didn’t want to raise Malfoy’s ire, but duty—and something else he couldn’t quite place—had made him come by and check on her.

‘I-I was worried about you,’ he said. ‘What did he do to you after he took you upstairs?’

‘Laid down the law. Told me how I was expected to behave. I’ll have to do it, if we’ve any hope of succeeding with this operation.’

Snape could see that Malfoy had also slapped her, her cheek still bore the imprint of his hand, albeit faded somewhat.

‘He hit you, Damara!’ his anger at Malfoy grew. He’d seen enough of that sort of behaviour growing up.

‘Nothing’s broken though. I gave him fair warning that if he tried it again, there’d be recompense.’

‘I wish you’d reconsider this whole thing, Damara. We can catch him some other way.’

‘I’ll be fine. Severus, I’m not Lucina. I’m not afraid of him like she was.’

Stubborn as well, was she? Gods, how I want her. Don’t even think it, Severus. She’s Malfoy’s now, or will be in a few days. Don’t… He hesitated for a moment, and then moved closer to her and cupped her face in his hands. He smelled her perfume, the slightest hint of vanilla, before he leant down and kissed her softly.

She returned his kiss eagerly, willingly. Oh, I want him. Damn Marius. Her hands started exploring his back. Suddenly, he broke the kiss off and stepped away from her.

‘We shouldn’t.’ He barely managed to get his voice to work.

‘It’s not like I’m in love with the man, Severus. Anyway, we’re two consenting adults.’

‘I know that. On both counts. It’s just not wise right at the moment.’ There will come a time that is right, and then... Suddenly uncomfortable in her presence, he said, ‘I just came to check on you. I was worried after what he did to you in the dungeons,’ he turned to go. ‘Sleep well, I’ll see you at the wedding.’

#######################################

#########################################

Damara lay awake long after she should have been asleep. Her mind kept drifting back to this evening and Severus’ kiss. He wasn’t at all her type. She liked her men accessible, open, friendly, as she herself was. (she’d had a huge crush on Remus Lupin, she remembered) Severus Snape was none of those things. Even in school he had been moody, withdrawn, distinctly unfriendly. She had managed, after a year of trying, to get him to say a distinct "hello" instead of mumbling it. It had taken him two years simply to return her smile when they passed each other in the corridors. There was something though, something about him that drew her to him. She fell asleep trying to decide what it was.

################################################

Her wedding day dawned fair, with the promise of warmth later on. Galadriel, her kneazle, jumping on her stomach, loudly demanding to be fed, wakened her, as usual. She rose, and went to feed Galadriel and get some coffee into her system before facing the day. Soon enough, her bridesmaids and matron of honour would be arriving, and then they would go to Hogwarts for the wedding. The only bright spots in her day as far as she could see were seeing friends she hadn’t seen all that often in the two years since they had graduated from Hogwarts; that, and seeing Severus. Merlin’s beard, Damara. Stop thinking about him. I can’t. For some reason I don’t understand, he’s there. Constantly. Think about Marius. Gods, the thought makes me sick. The less I think about him becoming my husband, the better. Just think about the task at hand. He’s bound to let something slip, and then I’ve got him. He’ll be where he should have been all along, in Azkaban. And may he rot there. That thought made her a bit more cheerful.

Then, she had no time to think, because Lily Potter, Danielle Beringer, and Jenna Longbottom were there at her door, laughing and chattering away. They embraced each other after Damara had invited them in. ‘Thanks for coming,’ she grinned. ‘I needed Gryffindors around me today.’

‘How much time do we have?’ Lily asked. ‘We’ve brought presents and it would be nice to open them before the wedding.’

‘The wedding’s at 1.00 and the Headmaster has ordered a carriage for us, I’d say we’ve got time enough.’ Damara said. She only hoped that they wouldn’t be the traditional things one gave a bride, because this marriage was going to be anything but traditional.

‘Well, then. Let’s get started.’ Danielle laughed. ‘I think you’ll like what we brought.’ Jenna added.

Damara led them to the living room. ‘Sit down and make yourselves comfortable. I’ll be in with coffee and tea in a minute.’

True to her word, she came back in about that span of time, Galadriel at her heels. She sat down in her favourite armchair and opened the presents they had brought her. From Jenna, there was a small flask of her favourite perfume, from Danielle, an old book of love spells, and from Lily, the most curious (and potentially most useful) present of all. It was a pendant, containing one of her hairs wrapped around a seven-pointed star. Damara remembered Lily making it for her when they were in school. She’d never received the gift, because in the aftermath of her brother’s death, she’d wanted nothing to do with "silly charms" as she’d called them then. She smiled at Lily, ‘You kept this all these years?’

‘I had a hunch you might want it someday, so I kept it until the time was right.’

She grinned and hugged her best friend. ‘It might be, Lily; it just might be. Thanks so much.’ She hugged Jenna and Danielle as well, and thanked them profusely for their gifts.

They talked idly for a time, mostly about Neville Longbottom, now a happy, healthy three months old. Jenna passed pictures around, and they oohed and aahed over what an adorable baby he was.

Damara glanced at the clock. ‘We’d best get going. It’s going to take a while to turn me into a bride.’

######################################

The Great Hall was decorated with flowers, fairy lights, and candles when they walked inside. Narcissa met them just in front of it. ‘It’s about time you were here, Damara. You don’t want to be late for your own wedding, now, do you? There was iciness in her tone.

‘There’s still plenty of time, Narcissa.’ Damara said. Merlin’s beard, if she weren’t a new mother, I’d hex her.

The four of them went upstairs to prepare Damara for her wedding. She put on the ivory wedding robes and the girdle that had been in her family for generations. It was gold, and bore the faintest tracery of Celtic and Elvish symbols. Lily performed a hair-curling charm, and Damara was set. The other two had gone to fetch something that Lily thought was needed, giving them a chance to speak alone.

‘Damara, you don’t look happy. Come on, tell me what it is.’

‘Well, as you’re working with the Headmaster as well—yes, I know what the four of you are doing—he thought that as an Auror I should know about anything that has to do with anti-Voldemort activities. You promise you won’t tell anyone—even James?’

Damara told her, and Lily was appalled. ‘It’s risking your life! Why would you do that?’

‘I want him in Azkaban, Lily. Somewhere he can’t kill anymore. Let’s not talk about that now. When are you due?’

‘The mediwizard says 31^st July. I’m ready for him to be born. I feel like a snidget—you know, completely round! James is ecstatic of course.’

‘Have you chosen names?’

‘Harry James.’

‘You’re sure it’s a boy?’

‘Positive. The mediwizard assured us.’

The other two came back then, and escorted Damara down to her wedding.

Dumbledore waved his wand, and there was music; the skirl of bagpipes, playing a traditional Scottish wedding tune called "Mairi’s Wedding". Alastor Moody met her and took her arm in his and they followed Lily, Danielle, and Jenna down the aisle of the Great Hall. Damara saw people she knew, mostly from the Ministry. She dared a look in front of her and saw Severus.

The bagpipes stopped as they reached the place where Marius stood with his groomsmen. He did look handsome; she had to admit. He was wearing black dress robes with a high collar. And for a change, he looked happy to be in the same room with her. She could see his look of wonder (and surprise) and a slight smile on his lips. Hmm, he seems to be on his best behaviour today. That’s good. Alastor put her hand in his and at that moment, Fawkes, Dumbledore’s phoenix, sounded one note. For some reason, it gave her the strength to continue.

‘Dearly beloved, we are gathered together to witness the marriage of this man and this woman.’ Dumbledore’s voice droned over her; she barely heard the words of the ceremony. After what seemed an eternity, it was over and with blue eyes twinkling, Dumbledore said to Marius, ‘you may now kiss your bride.’ His lips barely brushed hers.

They went back up the aisle and waited outside the Great Hall as it was transformed into a reception hall. Guests came forward to congratulate them; Lucius was even gracious enough to take her hand and kiss it. Even Crabbe and Goyle were polite to her. Alastor rescued her from what seemed to her a pile-up of people surrounding her to give her a hug and whisper in her ear, ‘Just be sweet and loving, and he’ll never suspect a thing.’

When they were allowed back in the Great Hall, music was already playing.

Damara and Marius danced the traditional first dance, and then he disappeared into the crowd. After some time had passed, in which she seemed to have danced with every male there except Severus, the man himself came up to her, bowed over her hand, and asked, ‘May I have this dance?’ in a silky voice. She joined him on the dance floor. He had chosen a slow dance, grateful for both the chance to hold her close, and to pass on information. ‘There’s to be a meeting tonight. It’s to plan another killing,’ he looked into her eyes. ‘I’ll let you know tomorrow by Merlin.’ Damn Malfoy, he doesn’t realise what he has in her. I wish it were me who’d just married her. No, Severus. Don’t. Don’t torture yourself like that. She’s his now, and you’ll just have to live with it.

The end of the song came, and Severus led Damara away to get something to drink.

Malfoy saw them together and walked up to them. ‘At it again, Snape?’ His voice was cold.

‘Is it against the law to escort a beautiful lady to the refreshment table? I believe it’s only proper, as I was the one who danced with her.’ His voice matched Malfoy’s in its coldness.

‘Excuse me, gentlemen. There’s someone I must speak with.’ Damara made her escape.

She certainly didn’t want to be in the middle of a duel, and she thought it just might come to that.

‘You don’t own her, Malfoy.’ Snape said.

‘I married her.’

‘That doesn’t give you ownership over her. She is not a --’

‘POSSESSION?’ The venom in Malfoy’s interruption came out in a strangled malediction. ‘You always wanted what I had, didn’t you, Severus? Even when we were in school, you were always jealous of me. Because you had NOTHING AND NO ONE!’

‘No. I had enough… of my own. Severus fought for breath, and then said evenly, ‘All I want is for you to treat Damara with the respect she deserves,’ he explained, and then leant in to say in a voice that was barely above a whisper, ‘or you will regret it, I’m sure.’

Dumbledore came toward them, a self-satisfied smile on his face, and a twinkle in his blue eyes. ‘Marius, are you and your lovely wife going on a honeymoon?’

Malfoy, still glaring at Severus, tried to regain his composure. ‘No, I’m afraid not. Damara has to be at work tomorrow. She tried to get off, but Moody wouldn’t let her.’

Marius didn’t notice Snape’s smug look at his news: a look too self-absorbed to notice the relief in Malfoy’s voice as he continued, ‘I seem to have lost her to the women tonight. So much to talk about with Lily Potter, I expect, that she’s left us poor men on our own.’

Had Damara been there, she would have scoffed at the excuses, would have smiled at Snape’s so easily read heart, and Dumbledore’s benign composure. But her belief would have been confirmed in Malfoy, now thinking: She misses none of my tricks. I’d better watch myself. She thinks I have come meekly over to her side, but I haven’t. And I will use anything, any clues she might let slip, anything she might say, to my advantage, and to my master’s!’

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