Part 1 - Chapter 2 - Claudia

A/N: Thanks to my beta, MadBrilliant. I hope you enjoy this chapter. This chapter gives a look into the world of the pure-bloods with their traditions and duties.

***

Claudia's words had hurt Severus deeply. He had given a lot of his time to helping her, and he was expecting gratitude, just not how she went about it! He was embarrassed to be smothered by her in front of his friends. It had been a very hard two months. His long-time friendship with Lily Evans was over since the "Mudblood" incident. He had racked his brain trying every possible way to get her to forgive him, but she would not relent. He hated having to return to Spinner's End knowing she would be close by but not being able talking to her. His heart was broken. It was so broken that he had poured all his anger and hurt into a little know-it-all who was as irritating as any third-year girl could be. But, she was a very intelligent young witch, and he found himself thinking if she progressed in her learning just how far she might go. She had the brains, just not the guts to branch out. Lily had guts. She wasn't afraid to stand up for something or someone. That was what he loved so much about her. She had brains and courage. What was he going to do without her?

He sat on the Hogwarts Express back to London with his friends. They were all chatting about their summer plans.

"Severus, you've got come to Malfoy's for a couple weeks. The whole crowd from our first year will be there. And I heard the Dark Lord might visit. Besides, you've got to get your head cleared out!" said Mulciber.

"He's right!" said Avery. "You got to get that Mudblood bitch out of your head. What were you going to do with her anyway? Fuck her a couple of times just to make sure her short and curlies were red as well?"

The whole compartment laughed, except for Severus, who was raging inside. He did not like anyone to deride Lily.

Mulciber leaned over to speak directly to him. "Look, mate, you may not realize this, but you are about to embark on a new phase of life."

Severus furrowed his brow. What the hell is he on about?

As if he read his mind he said, "Take it from me, Severus, you'd better make nice with that Fairfax girl. She's as pureblood as they come, and she's going to be a looker. You wait. I noticed she's just starting to fill out. I bet by the time she comes back here after the summer, she'll be in full bloom. And if you are nice to her, she'll remember how good you were to her, helping her out with Potions. Then perhaps, she might be conducive to a match. I saw the look on her face when she jumped you!" he laughed heartily at the last bit.

The boys started howling with laughter as Severus blushed furiously. How can Mulciber even suggest marriage?

"He's right, Sev, she's got these tiny buds just sprouting, but she'll be filled out all nice soon!" said Rosier.

"Rosier, you are a pig!" snarled Mulciber. "Save that talk for Mudblood whores!"

Severus was not comfortable with how the guys were talking about Claudia. He only had those feelings for Lily. But, it would be expected of him to form an attachment with a pure-blood girl...even if it was just for show. Besides, she promised she would owe him a favor one day. Perhaps if she became the beauty the others thought she'd be, it would not hurt to take her to Malfoy's and have her on his arm. Perhaps she would let him touch her breasts if he kept being nice to her. And if there was a merciful God in heaven, he could talk her into touching him! But that would have to be in the future. She was just a fourteen-year-old kid!

So the summer dragged on for Severus Snape. He saw nothing of Lily Evans, though not for lack of trying. She had decided against staying home for the summer, and her sister, Petunia, was more than happy to let him know that! He went to Malfoy's and watched as his friends chatted up various girls at the numerous parties, but none of them wanted anything to do with him. He was envious of his friends having women desire them. The image of Claudia running to him and throwing her arms around him kept flashing in his mind. She didn't mind being close to him. He decided by the end of the summer that he would make that little know-it-all girl his and show her off when he had parties to attend. After all, in six months time he was to be seventeen, of legal age and a sixth year. He had grown vastly taller over the summer, and Malfoy had helped him with a new look. He was sporting all new, expensive, tailored black robes now, and at Malfoy's, there was a wonderful potions lab, in which he could brew. He made a great deal of money making potions for Lord Voldemort and other friends who needed his services, like contraceptive potions, lust potions, and various illegal potions one could not buy, but for a pretty penny, and a needy Potions master in the making, one could have all what one needed. All Severus worried about now was if Claudia Fairfax had blossomed or not?

***

September, 1976

Mulciber, Rosier, and Wilkes came into the common room, and Mulciber whistled loud and long. Avery and Severus turned to him.

"Well, Sev, it looks as if God has smiled upon you, my boy! I just saw Little Miss Fairfax in the Great Hall, and she is gorgeous!"

Avery snorted. "Yeah? What about that bushy mane of hers?"

Rosier smiled. "Lads, the girl is hot! And what did I tell you, Sev, she is stacked! More than a handful, I'd say! You'd best get your groove on and move in for the kill because she will be snatched up before the night's out."

Severus was skeptical. "So soon? Isn't she a little young to be picked?"

"Well, hell, Sev, the girl's fourteen, and she looks sixteen!" She's a fourth year now, sure she's ready!"

Severus sighed. The impatience these boys displayed was embarrassing. If there was one thing he knew about girls...no, ladies...it was that you couldn't pressure them. Lucius had taught him that. Slow seduction was the way to get a lady in your bed. If a girl was a slut, sure you boss her around into a fuck. Hell, he'd seen Lucius and Rosier do it a million times...sometimes they let him watch. But when it came to a future consort, a bride, one did not act in such a manner. He learned that by watching Malfoy with his young fiancée, Narcissa. She was treated like a goddess. Sure, Malfoy slept around, but he didn't respect those women. Narcissa was the chosen one. She was worthy.

Now if Claudia had truly blossomed into a beauty, and if he could charm his way into her life, perhaps she could be the one. He would always love Lily. Always! But he needed a wife to solidify his standing, especially after meeting the Dark Lord during the summer. Everyone knew he was a half-blood, but if he could get an aristocratic pure-blood to marry him, his worth and power in the Dark Lord's eyes would soar. He had received so much praise for his Potion making abilities; he had walked on air for two months! Never in his life had he been treated with so much respect! He truly wanted to please the Dark Lord. Snape observed how much the Dark Lord respected family. He was thrilled to hear of Malfoy's engagement to the lovely Narcissa Black. Malfoy's status and standing rose significantly now that he was going to marry and sire more pureblood offspring. If Severus wanted to solidify his own standing with the Dark Lord, he would have to follow suit. So, he decided at the Welcoming Feast to re-acquaint himself with the lovely Miss Fairfax and begin the process of seducing her to become his consort.

***

He watched for her as the fourth years came in. She was indeed very lovely. Her hair was longer, wavier, having lost the previous frizzy look about it. She was taller, but she wore her robes, so he couldn't see just how well she had filled out. He would find out later. Her face was less babyish, looking more like a young lady just coming into the promise of the woman she would one day become. He stole glances at her during the meal, and once she caught his stare, her face froze at the sight of him, and then she timidly lowered her eyes, lifting a hand to her face to shield her from him. Severus' anger flashed in him. Who does she think she is? he thought viciously. He did not look at her again, nor did he feel her eyes on him.

Later, that evening, after the first years had been inducted and given the Slytherin house rules, Severus made his way over to the table where the fourth year girls were sitting. As he approached, the faces on the girls went white with fear, except for Claudia's. He glared at the other girls, angry over their fear. Why couldn't girls ever smile at him like they would the others in his house? He knew he wasn't handsome, but he did have some feelings and desires. His glare sent them packing, and as Claudia went to join them, he whispered gently to her.

"Please, Claudia, speak to me."

She stopped her retreat and swung around. His voice was so smooth and deep. It was a caress to her senses. She looked at the tall, dark, young man before her. Then she remembered how cruelly he had treated her last year. She had grown up a little since then, and now she was going to give him a piece of her mind. She strode up to him and looked up into his bottomless, black eyes.

"You've got a nerve! How dare you come speak to me after you treated me so shabbily?"

She waited for a response, hopefully a heart-felt apology, preferably groveling on his knees, the great git!

Slowly, he reached out to her and placed his hand on her arm. She started to shrink from him, but he slid his arm around her back and hugged her. She was now the stiff one as he continued to hold her close to him.

"I was a fool, Claudia. If you ever have a need of additional assistance with your Potions work, all you need is to ask, and I shall be at your service," he murmured into her ear.

He released her and said, "By the way, excellent work on your grades last year. I was and am very proud of you. You are a very gifted witch."

She smiled shyly and lowered her gaze. He was looking at her so intently; she felt he could see right through her.

"Thank you, Snape," she replied.

He reached out and lifted her face with his long white fingers cupped under her chin. "Please, call me Severus, Claudia," he said softly.

He kept his hand on her face and held her with his eyes for a while before releasing her. She dashed off to her room, her newfound maturity having failed her. She ran into her dormitory and immediately became bombarded with questions.

"What did he want?"

"Oh, Claudia, he is so creepy! Stay away from him."

"What did he say?"

"Did you see him in those new robes? He looked so formidable!"

Giggles erupted from some of girls. Claudia was starry-eyed. What had happened? Well, one thing was for sure. She was going to need a lot of help with Potions; she sensed she was going to perform rather hideously on her lab work.

Back in the common room, Severus watched Claudia run off in retreat. A wicked smile played around his thin lips. Slaps on the back were given to him. He went to sit with the other sixth and seventh years. He relaxed back into a sofa chair and took up a proffered snifter of brandy. He watched it swirl as the color reminded him of Claudia's eyes. As he plotted his course for the year, he allowed himself an indulgent smile.

Mulciber was the first to address him.

"So, my lad, did you discover anything new?"

"Indeed," replied Severus. "She has a very ample bosom."

The Slytherins all cracked up laughing. Avery shook his head. "Geez, Severus! Must you always be so proper? Can't you say 'tits' or 'boobs' or something?"

Severus glared at him. "If I were speaking of a whore, I would have no problem with those words. Miss Fairfax is a very worthy pure-blood lady. She deserves respect, and I shall endeavor to continue to endear myself to her," he said calculatingly.

The others looked at him respectfully. He had the look of a predator about him, not quite unlike Lucius Malfoy. Mulciber smiled malevolently. "You do that, Severus. The Dark Lord would be most pleased with his favorite up and coming potion maker creating an alliance with such a beautiful pure-blood."

Severus lifted his glass to Mulciber and gave a cruel smile.

Mulciber gave an intimidating glare to the others. "You have heard it here, gentlemen. Miss Claudia Fairfax is now out of bounds. She belongs to Severus now. It will be your responsibility to make sure any randy little berks that come around her be informed of that fact. Congratulations, Severus, on your conquest!"

They all toasted him on his success. It was an understanding that any and every Slytherin pure-blood would know. Once a wizard had made his declaration known, no other wizard would dare to approach his witch. Claudia did not know it just yet, but she was for all intents and purposes the property of Severus Snape.

***

Claudia found her return to school very strange to understand. She was given a wide berth in the halls; younger Slytherin boys were opening doors for her and addressing her as "Miss Fairfax." Whenever she walked past the older Slytherins, they would stop their conversation and nod respectfully to her. She was confused as to the attention and the formality of it all. She owled her mother and explained what was happening. Her mother replied immediately with many questions and answers for her. First, Claudia had been claimed. It was a great honor that she had been chosen by a worthy Slytherin. That she was being treated with such respect from upperclassmen was an indication that the young man must be at least a sixth year. She said that unless her father found him to be unworthy, she should consider herself as good as engaged. Her mother wanted to know who the young man was so she could ascertain his blood status and wealth.

Claudia replied that she had no idea who the young man was. She said it was all so strange and clandestine, it seemed. She questioned the propriety of it all. Should not a suitor make his intentions known?

Her mother replied happily, stating that the young man must be a very influential young wizard if he were keeping his identity from her. It was the oldest of traditions. She would know soon enough. Then, when he revealed himself, he would then present himself to her father. She wanted to know if he followed the Dark Lord. Claudia had no idea, but as she thought about it, only one Slytherin had made anything that could be construed as a declaration for her. That would be Severus Snape.

***

Claudia approached Snape in the hallway one afternoon.

"Severus."

He was talking with the usual Slytherin crowd. His back was to her, and he swiftly turned to her and gave a polite nod. The other gentlemen bowed to her and made themselves scarce.

She was nervous. "I was wondering if we could resume our arrangement from last year. Potions class has become more demanding...antidotes." Her voice trailed off.

He gave her a slight smile. "Of course, Claudia. Meet me in the Potions Lab at 7:00 p.m. I look forward to working with you again. May I escort you to your next class? I trust you have been able to discern the status you now hold in Slytherin?"

Ah! He is making his intentions known!

"Yes, it has not escaped my notice, Severus," she answered sweetly.

"So, I am not remiss in believing my advances will not be in vain?" he asked cautiously.

Claudia honestly did not know how she really felt. All that she knew was what her pedigree expected. It would not be her choice anyway. He would have to deal with her father, and she was Daddy's girl. She trusted her father to do right by her.

"I am most anxious to hear what my father has to say," she answered cryptically.

She took his proffered arm and felt the strength that radiated from him. She noticed most people avoided them and did not look her in the eye. She was actually being courted by this dark young man...and a man he was becoming. He held himself with poise and finesse. He spoke with confidence and held an aura of purpose. He knew what he was about. Claudia wondered if Potter and Black would be bothering him again this year.

He left her at the door of her Transfiguration Class. He lifted her hand to his lips and brushed them across her knuckles. At that moment, Lily Evans rounded the corner. Snape hastily dropped her hand, and he and Lily locked eyes. Lily's green eyes glanced at Claudia, and she walked on by, ignoring Snape completely.

"Get inside," he hissed as he turned and left in a swirl of robes trailing him.

Claudia frowned at his dismissal. He turned and walked off without so much as a 'by your leave'! What is this about? she wondered.

***

She walked into the Potions lab and waited for Snape to arrive. He came ten minutes late. He was in a black mood. He started to set up the cauldron and ingredients.

Claudia tried to meet his eyes. Finally, she said, "Hello?"

"Good Evening, Claudia. I apologize for my tardiness. It shan't happen again."

He still refused to meet her eyes.

"Antidotes," he began. "It is very important to have a through knowledge of all the various antidotes. However, a bezoar can work as a quick antidote for most poisons, but not all. Most antidotes contain Mandrakes, so it is important to know how to handle the various parts of the root and leaves. Let us work tonight on a base for a Mandrake Draught, which is the antidote for Petrification."

"Severus?" she asked softly.

"What?" he snapped, not meeting her in the eye.

"What is going on? Why are you so angry?" she prodded cautiously.

He sighed and leaned against the table. "There are certain things, Claudia, that I shall be unable to discuss with you. Suffice it to say that I am indeed in a foul mood, and you should not take it personally."

Claudia shrank back from him, unable to process what he had said. She was positive it had to do with Lily Evans.

"Does this have to do with Lily Evans?" she asked boldly.

His head snapped up, and his eyes bored into hers. He stepped closer to her and glared at her with a murderous glint in his eyes.

"You will never mention Lily again. Have I made myself clear?" he said in a deathly whisper.

She didn't need this. She gathered her belongings and faced him. "Snape, I think that I am capable now of figuring my Potions work by myself. Obviously, you are not in the frame of mind, and I am not in the mood for ultimatums."

She swept out of the room without looking back. She heard a terrific crash echo from the room she'd left. She was sure Snape had cleared the table of the ingredients and the cauldron, smashing them all to the floor.

She went back to the common room and went right up to Severus' gang of friends. They nodded and grew silent. She eye-balled each one of them and said in a calm voice, "I am not going to be with Severus Snape. I refuse to be mistreated and lied to. I do not want this treatment from any of you. I am a fourth year, and I think it would be best for me to start hanging out with boys my own age. Not that Snape has acted with more maturity; nonetheless, I think it would be best for all parties."

She marched off and went to her room, not bothering to see the reactions on their faces.

***

Later that night, as she settled in bed with a book before turning in, a soft knock on the door drew her attention from her book. One of her dorm mates answered the door. It was a seventh year Slytherin, Iris Oldcastle. She was this year's Lady Slytherin: a very beautiful and wealthy pure-blood who was deferred to by all according to the old traditions of Slytherin house. All the girls were shocked by her presence. She was in a sparkling gown of jewels and long opera length gloves. She must have come from a ball or some dance.

She smiled and was kind to the girls who fawned over her blonde hair turned up so beautifully and her gorgeous dress. She dazzled them with her brilliant smile. She spoke softly to them with a sophisticated air, but was kind as she patted cheeks and stroked the bedraggled hair of the fourth years crowding her. Claudia rolled her eyes at the girls' fawning.

"Hello, my darlings! I'm here to visit with Claudia." She glanced around and saw her in her bed. She smiled sweetly and came directly to kiss her on her cheeks. She sat down and cocked her head to one side, evaluating the young girl with her sky blue eyes.

"My sweet girl, I heard that you and Severus had a lovers' quarrel."

Claudia sat up straight and crossed her arms in anger. "Lovers' quarrel, indeed! We are nothing more to each other than tutor and tutee! And even now that relationship has been terminated."

Claudia knew what Iris was about. The Fairfax line was as noble and pure as the Oldcastles, Malfoys, and the Blacks. No doubt by the time she was a seventh year, she would be holding the title Iris now enjoyed.

Iris dropped her sweetness. "Claudia," she said harshly. "I am not going to blow sunshine up your arse. You and I know what is expected, and although Severus Snape is not the most desirable young man you could have, he certainly is a very eligible and worthy wizard to marry. You may not realize this, but he has the Dark Lord's eye. He spent his entire summer this year brewing exclusively for the Dark Lord. He is the youngest wizard to ever join in the ranks of the Dark Lord. He will be a very powerful and wealthy wizard one day. Unfortunately, he is only a half-blood, but an alliance with you, Claudia, would be most advantageous for you and your family. As we speak, Severus and your father are meeting with the Dark Lord to discuss your betrothal. You will marry Snape, and you will do your duty by giving him an heir. Have I made myself clear?" Her tone was unmistakably forceful.

Claudia was crestfallen. "Iris, I think his heart belongs to another. I saw him looking at Lily Evans. I think he is in love with her."

Iris sighed deeply, took out her wand from her dress pocket, created a Silencing Spell around them, and spoke quietly. "Severus was very close to Lily Evans for many years, but they had a falling out last year...which was very fortunate, since the Dark Lord does not want one of his best and brightest to be sullied with a Mudblood! But, your female intuition is correct. He loves her. It pains me to tell you this, but it is a truth that must be admitted and accepted. He has always loved her, but that is not your concern. Your concern is to be a suitable consort. You and I will be spending more time together. You and Severus will not be seeing much of each other until your sixteenth birthday. It would not be proper since you are so young. By the time of your sixteenth birthday, you will be available for a more intimate relationship. Your future is set, and you must accept that you will not marry for love. He will be a good wizard to you, but he will always love another. That is the lot we must bear, my dear. I shall help you learn to bear it with grace and dignity."

With that, she stood and left the room. Claudia was shocked. What had happened to her life? Snape, her father, and the Dark Lord were conspiring about her future? She felt ill. It was true. Snape loved Lily and always would. What would there be left for her?

***

December, 1976

Christmastime was always Claudia's favorite time of the year. That was until this year. She had spent every spare moment outside of classes and studying under the watchful eye of Iris. She no longer sat with the other fourth years in the Great Hall, but they did not begrudge her. In fact, Claudia's standing grew to even greater heights. Iris was grooming her to take her place when she would be a seventh year and take the title of Lady Slytherin.

Iris explained one night over dinner that this Christmas she would be spending her time between two pure-blood manors: Malfoy Manor and Lestrange Manor. It was important for Claudia to learn from the mistresses of those houses, for Narcissa Black Malfoy and her sister, Bellatrix Black Lestrange, were in their respective days the head and elite of Slytherin house. She would learn to defer to the girls ahead of her, and she would be prepared to wait on the Lady Slytherin before her. The current girl waiting in line was Althena DuBois: a half-Greek, half -French pure-blood whose parents sent her to Hogwarts in order to make an alliance with one of the wealthier pure-bloods. Althena was the fiancée of Mulciber. He was already a seventh year, so Althena would reign alone. Iris was Avery's fiancée, and as soon as June came, and they left Hogwarts for good, they would be immediately married. The girl who would take over after Althena was yet undetermined, but once the decision was made, Claudia would be notified so she could attend to her as Althena attended to Iris.

"I realize this seems overwhelming, but you shall succeed. Snape is a poor young man, but he is a powerful wizard with great talent. Your family is wealthy and affluent enough to balance the union. Also, because he is only a half-blood it is imperative that he marries a pure-blood. The Dark Lord is a half-blood, so he knows the importance of having Snape make an alliance with a pure-blood. Now Claudia, you never speak of the Dark Lord's blood status in his presence!" Iris warned severely.

***

Claudia's life seemed to be mapped out for her. She received a beautiful, ornate, green and silver gilded letter from her father the day after her first talk with Iris. The Dark Lord had whole-heartedly accepted the union of Claudia Fairfax and Severus Snape. Claudia was to join Iris at Malfoy Manor for the duration of the holidays. Her father and her mother would be coming to the various balls and parties the Malfoys would be hosting as well as the balls and dances at the Lestrange Manor. Her engagement would be officially announced at the opening of the season, and she would be announced as Snape's "Wife in Waiting."

Claudia showed Iris the formal letter, and as Iris scanned it, she asked, "What does that mean, 'Wife in Waiting'?"

Iris smiled mischievously. "I can't believe your mother never spoke to you about these things! Well, you are a bit young, but you might as well know now instead of being shocked later. It means, my dear, that you will become the property of Severus Snape. If he chooses to bed you, he is allowed. You will be required at his side when he desires your presence, but I would not worry, darling. You are only fourteen. He will not try to bed you before you are at least sixteen," she said in an off-handed way.

Claudia could not believe her ears. This was insane at best! She couldn't imagine being married to Snape, let alone having sex with him. She probably would have been more open to the idea if she were ignorant of the fact his heart belonged to another. Suddenly the rich, heavy parchment with all its elegance and pomp felt like a lead weight.

As if Iris had read her mind, she leaned over and whispered to Claudia, "I have arranged a meeting between you and the Mudblood Evans. You will need to sort this all out so you can carry on with your duties. This wondering and sulking will only anger Severus further."

Claudia snorted. As if she cared about his feelings! She was the one being forced to marry a man that would never love her! But the thought of a one on one with Lily sounded tempting. She wanted and needed to know if Lily loved him in return...