Chapter 1
Even after proving your loyalty to the Dark Lord countless times, your fellow Death Eaters continue to get on your nerves. It was mostly those who thought themselves royalty within the group, the ones that had been through the majority of the first wizarding war and have been around ever since. You thought it unwise to pester the newcomers, one or two having gone headfirst into danger and ending up dead - just for Bellatrix Lestrange's amusement. This was a war, not time for silly games. However, these were dark times and evil people needed cheering up regardless. This was their idea of fun.
That's why when Lucius approached you one night after a meeting, quietly whispering his invitation, you were immediately on guard. You didn't show your suspicions, instead acting grateful and excited for the event. Laying it on thick by asking whether or not you should bring anything. Wine? Gifts? A partner? That is when he suggested Severus. Lucius was just as good an actor as you were, but you were not one to be fooled anymore. His blatant lie, one that insisted he had heard Severus was interested in you, was absurd.
After meetings, Severus was usually the first to leave. He was often wearing a stoic expression, only spoken to when asked and often declined conversation with anyone who dared unless it was Lord Voldemort himself. He kept to himself, his life and opinions kept locked away in secret. It was so unlikely to be true, that you found it incredibly humorous that they would even dream of trying to use this to trick you. That's why you ended up outside Severus' home, concealed in a black hooded cape, hoping he would go along with your plan.
After two brief knocks, the raven haired man was slow to answer the door, "Ah... and to what do I owe the pleasure, Miss [last name]?"
His words were dripping with irony, clearly wishing to keep this interaction as brief as possible. You were slightly nervous, never having spoken to the man in front of you apart from a few mere mumbled greetings of hello when he skulked around the manor during meetings. You had to be smart about this.
"I was thinking we could talk, Severus. I have a... proposition." You answered, pulling your hood back slightly to let him see your calm expression.
"Very well, you may come in," Snape eventually agreed, "I will hear what you have to say."
Flashing him a small smile as he stepped aside from the doorway, you let yourself walk into his hallway. Your coat tugged at your arms mysteriously, then you saw Severus holding his wand out at you.
"Your coat." He muttered at your look of surprise.
After undoing a few buttons, the coat flew off of your body within an instant and let itself follow the direction of the man's wand. It found itself to be hung on a spare hook, next to Snape's own coat and outer robes. Severus was more polite than you had originally thought, making the idea you were about to suggest seem embarrassing to you. But you had to at least ask, hopeful that he would help you.
Deadly silence ensued as he lead you through to his sitting room. Bookshelves adorned the walls, with books of every topic you could imagine. Potions, hexes and lots of titles that you recognised containing studies of the Dark Arts. There was a singular armchair in the corner of the room, with an open book resting against it's armrest. You assumed he had been reading it before you arrived, keeping note of his page by laying it against the arm of the chair. A small table with a lamp sat next to it, with a small pile of books resting on top. Severus must really like reading, it was clear to deduce. There was a desk underneath a curtain-covered window, with a wooden chair tucked underneath. This was the chair that Snape pulled out for you, before going to his own.
He looked at you, with no expression but a clear atmospheric way to tell you he was waiting for you to speak.
"Well, I, uh," You began, without a clue on how to even begin to explain what you wanted him to do.
"Maybe try from the beginning?" Severus offered, his dark eyes staring at you.
"I had the unfortunate pleasure of being invited to the Malfoy Manor for his event this Friday." You broke your nerves, letting yourself continue, "I'm sure you're aware of how a few of our friends like to prey on newcomers, like myself. But this invitation included you."
"How so?" He questioned, eyebrows lifted in his intrigue.
"They tried to suggest that you were interested in me, that you would be speaking to me at the party. In a certain way..." You shook your head, then stood from your chair to address how serious you were about what you were going to say next, "I am trying to one-up them. I was hoping you would help. By attending the party with me."
"I daresay, trying to 'one-up' your superiors is not at all wise." Snape advised you, clearly amused at your idea.
"I know, Severus," You frowned, "but if this is the way to end their stupid games, then I'd be really grateful if you could play your part."
"And if I agree, what do I get in return," He mused.
"Anything." You blurted out without a moments thought, hoping it would make him agree.
His eyes seemed to darken, if it was even possible for them to get any darker. His lips had formed a smirk and he nodded, "Anything? Fine. I will attend this ludicrous party with you."