The Raven and The Snake

Ariadne had gone through great pains to set up a communication network between herself and her friends with the Order. She felt awful to have to use it to alert Fleur Delacour, her friend and distant cousin, that should be unable to attend her wedding with Bill Weasley.

Ariadne had spent the last few weeks tending to Bill who had been injured in a fight with a Death Eater known as Fenrir Greyback. Greyback was a werewolf and though he hadn't been transformed, he had bitten Bill, mauling the young man's handsome face. The injuries had been quite extensive, but thanks to Ariadne's blood, sweat, and tears - quite literally - he was recovering fairly well. It was a terrible shame that Ariadne would miss the wedding. Unfortunately, her own was scheduled for the same day.

Ariadne let out a soft sigh of relief as she entered the little house at Spinner's End. Without Wormtail skulking around, this was the closest thing to 'home' she'd had for several years now. It was a messy little space without much room to move around between the untidy shelves of books. It had gotten a fine coating of dust during the time they'd been at Hogwarts.

Snape watched her silently as she stepped into the house. She pulled Antigone from her waist, depositing her gently on the sofa and made her way into the sparse kitchen where she set about making tea.

They sat across from each other at the little table, looking over their cups of tea with cautious expressions. As the prolonged silence stretched uncomfortably long, Ariadne felt the need to ease the tension. "I wonder how I should redecorate as the lady of the house." She said jokingly, taking a sip.

The corner of Snape's mouth twitched like he wanted to smile, but there was little humor to be taken. "Are you alright with this?"

She felt a little twist in her chest. He still worried for her. "I'm sure that there are stupider reasons to marry besides my grandfather is forcing you to."

He scowled.

"This isn't exactly the ideal first marriage..." Ariadne mused softly, dropping her eyes to her tea.

She saw his hands twitch, tightening on his own tea. "First marriage?"

A bitterness welled in her and she smiled. "I'm not going to force you to stay married to me once this is all over, Sev."

"He will probably initiate the soul bind." Snape said calmly.

Her head snapped up. It took her a moment to really recall what that was. She'd read about it once, but it was a really outdated thing to do. "That's archaic!"

His face didn't betray him, but she knew he couldn't be pleased with this. "It is a way for him to ensure I don't betray you..."

"You mean, betray him. You might as well be marrying him." She scoffed.

The soul binding spell was a lot like an unbreakable vow. The consequences could potentially be life threatening. Worst of all, it could be one-sided. Originally, the spell had been for wizards that would have more than one wife, but needed to guarantee all of the children were his. Some truly loving couples had made the soul bind due to their burning passion, only to find that the passion died over time and there was no way to leave each other without death.

If Voldemort insisted on the soul binding spell for the wedding ceremony, he would probably only cast it on Snape. Ariadne could still be ordered to lay with others, but if Snape ever set a toe out of line, he could die.

She wanted to argue. To say there was no way such a spell would be performed in today's day and age. Unfortunately, it was exactly what Voldemort might do just to keep his followers under his thumb.

Ariadne's shoulders hunched slightly. She felt a little deflated. It really wasn't unexpected. Her grandfather was determined to ruin everything. It honestly wouldn't be surprising if he insisted she stay with him for her wedding night. She shivered in revulsion.

"Is there no way out of this, then?" She asked quietly.

"No."

Part of her wanted to leap up and hug him for whatever that would accomplish.

Slowly, she finished her tea and rose. She went to the bedroom, removing her traveling cloak and preparing for bed.

Snape followed after her, watching her in silence. She could feel his eyes on her, taking in her figure as she changed for bed. She was gaunter than she had ever been. When she moved to pull her nightdress over herself, her ribs and hip bones stuck out awkwardly.

"Have you recovered?" He asked uncertainly.

She smiled dryly. "Yes, I'm fine. I just need some time to get back to my normal weight."

He strode up to her, his hands reaching to feel her face, moving down to her neck, shoulders, all the way down to her waist. His lips were pursed.

She waited for him to end his assessment of her. He looked like he was thinking very hard, but she didn't even attempt to read him. His touch always had an electrifying effect on her, even when it wasn't sexual.

He could feel her twinge in his hands when he brushed her abdomen. "Are you hiding something from me?"

She blinked. "I can't imagine what that would be."

His brow furrowed momentarily, but he asked nothing more. He pressed a kiss to her sharpened cheek and moved to also prepare for bed.

"I have business to attend to tomorrow." He said softly.

Of course. This was the year that Harry was coming of age. He would finally be free of his muggle family, the Dursleys. Free of the charm that had been cast when his mother had given her life for his. He would be vulnerable.

The Order would naturally take measures to protect Harry until he left to complete the task Dumbledore had given him. Snape's job would be to find out what the Order had planned. It wasn't destined to be a pleasant summer for anyone.