Part 1 - Chapter 3 - Claudia

A/N: Thanks to my beta, MadBrilliant. Please send reviews! I want to know your opinions!

***

She waited nervously in the Astronomy Tower, pacing back and forth, waiting for Lily to show. Mulciber stood guard outside as Claudia's protector. Lily arrived with Remus Lupin to stand as her protector. The two men closed the door on them, and she finally faced Lily alone.

"Hi, I'm Claudia Fairfax," she said in a strangled tone.

"Hi. Lily Evans. I was told you needed to speak with me," she replied tersely.

She was extremely nervous and glanced around the room.

"Don't worry," Claudia reassured her. "It's just you and I. I need to know who you are to Severus Snape."

"Nothing, I am nothing," she answered sadly.

Claudia pressed her. "But once..." she asked.

Lily went into her history with Severus. From the age of ten until their fifth year, they had been the best of friends, but when he called her a Mudblood, she couldn't be around him anymore. It had been a long time in coming. Calling her a Mudblood was just the final insult in a long line of hurts along the way.

"I'm just a Mudblood to the lot of you. He doesn't want to be in my world, and there is no place for me in his. So, it had to end," she concluded sadly.

"Were you in love?" Claudia asked timidly.

"In a way. I always knew he loved me, perhaps if he hadn't of taken up with Mulciber, Avery, and that lot, I might have grown to love him. We had something special. A part of me will always love and care for him, but I can't be anything to him, not even his friend. It is hard, but I am moving on with my life."

Claudia was partially relieved. There was no reason to fear Lily; she would not try to steal him away. She didn't want Severus, but Claudia felt very sad at the knowledge that he still loved and wanted her. He would never love her. Iris made that plain, but it was not until this moment that it became real.

"I am to be married to Severus," she admitted to Lily. "I am very disturbed about it. I don't want to marry a man who will think of you when he touches me, spending his days wishing it were you sleeping by his side and bearing his children." She closed her eyes as she felt the tears well up, and her throat became constricted. She raised a hand to massage her forehead. "This is all too horrible!" she finally choked out.

Lily looked on Claudia with pity. "Perhaps in time it will change. I know that he must be at least physically attracted to you for him to go to the lengths he has to court you. Even a lowly Gryffindor Mudblood like me is not completely ignorant of what is transpiring between you two."

"Do you wish it were you instead of me?" Claudia asked boldly.

Lily looked horrified. "No, I don't. I can't imagine all the rules and obligations. Severus wants to be in your world of pure-bloods, power, and ceremony. He is obsessed with it all. The Severus I love is the young Severus. He died the day he called me a Mudblood. Claudia, I wish you the best in your life. I pray to God that you both will find happiness with each other. Please, do not concern yourself. Whether or not you were or were not to marry Severus, it is no concern of mine. I do not want him as a friend, let alone as a lover. I have mourned the loss of the boy he once was, and the dear friend that no longer exists."

She turned to leave, and Claudia stopped her by putting her hand on her arm. Lily turned her green eyes up and into Claudia's brandy-colored ones.

"None of us have a choice into which world we are born into. Believe me when I tell you that I am in chains far worse than you could ever imagine."

Lily swallowed, cast down her eyes, slowly turned, and left Claudia. She felt cold and alone. At least she could take solace in the fact Lily didn't want him in return. Perhaps there would be hope after all. But, he still loved her and perhaps he would never let her go completely. What then?

She walked back with Mulciber to the common room. Iris was waiting for her. She embraced the girl and shooed Mulciber away.

She placed her arm around her shoulders, and they sat in front of the fire. "Tell me all what she said."

Claudia told her what Lily revealed, and Iris listened without interruption. Finally, after Claudia stopped talking, she said, "Claudia, you are so pretty, and you will continue to become more alluring! I am going to train you with the help of the best seductresses in the Wizarding world: Narcissa Malfoy and Bellatrix Lestrange. We all will teach you how to mesmerize Severus and break him to your will. It will be very important to use what you have between your legs as a formidable weapon. Men are all alike when you get down to it. They all are looking for a warm place to bury their cocks into. Now, granted...in all fairness, to his credit, Severus does value intelligence, wit, and charm. He doesn't suffer fools! You are naturally talented and bright. You have beauty with a lot of spirit with which to entice him. We just have to get you to harness that spirit and drive your shyness away. Mark my words, if you learn to build up your assets, one day Severus Snape will be saying 'Lily, who'?" She gave a short laugh at that, and Claudia smiled shyly.

"That's another thing, my girl! You must learn to overcome your insecurities. You are going to be the bride of the most talented future Potions master in Britain and in His Dark Lord's service! It will be all right, take heart...at least you know she doesn't want him! So, if you suffer, at least you won't be alone in it!" she said viciously.

Claudia nodded dumbly. She didn't know how to process all that she'd heard.

***

At the start of the Christmas hols, she reported to Malfoy Manor per her instructions. She entered the manor and was greeted by a very beautiful blonde woman. She was tall and willowy. Her face was pale with cold blue eyes. She was wore an ice blue dress and reached out to the young Claudia.

"My darling girl!" she cried in a breathless voice. She took Claudia's hands into her own and kissed her cheeks. "I am Narcissa Malfoy. I am so glad you are here! We have so much to do. Your parents shall be with us tonight for the opening ball of the Season. And your mother has sent you a gift!"

They walked into Mrs. Malfoy's salon and were greeted by an exotic dark-haired lady and Madam Malkin. They both were surrounded with various robes and dresses, fine silks, satins, and velvets. On one of the settees were piles of silk stockings and on the floor were the most glamorous shoes.

"What is all this?" Claudia said with wide eyes.

The dark-haired lady spoke in a sultry voice. "My dear child, you are to be introduced formally into our pure-blood society! You must be dressed in your finest. After all, you are to become engaged to our dear future Potions master! She turned to gaze over the materials, and Claudia noted a hint of derision in her voice.

Narcissa smiled and said, "Please meet my sister, Bellatrix Lestrange."

Claudia gave a gasp of recognition. "Madam Lestrange, Iris told me I would be meeting you. She spoke most highly of you! It is a pleasure!" she said sincerely.

Madam Lestrange smiled, but it was a cruel smile. "I must say, I was shocked to say the least that Claudius Fairfax would be so open for his only child to marry such a poor boy as Snape!" she spat.

"Bella," Mrs. Malfoy chided. "You know very well that Lucius and I have taken him in hand. He is becoming a most charming young man, despite his unfortunate features."

"Yes," Madam Lestrange replied sharply. Then she flashed a predatory smile. "Who am I to second-guess the Dark Lord? He has the utmost faith in the opportunist. I'm sure it will be a mutually satisfying union." Her dark, hooded eyes hovered over her, and Claudia started to think that Madam Lestrange was not completely sane.

Madam Malkin interrupted them and began her process of measurements. Claudia was stripped down nude and measured for a new wardrobe. Bras, knickers, garter belts, and silk stockings were everywhere. Soon, though, a heated debate began over the choice of color and material. Claudia watched as the three women argued their choice while she stood naked, trying to cover herself with her arms. Each time she tried to cover herself, her hands were slapped down by one of the three women. Many times, she was pulled into various postures, her face pinched, her breasts and hips analyzed, her eyes scrutinized, and her hair fussed over. She was mortified.

Mrs. Malfoy began to laugh at the girl's modesty. "My dear child, you must stop being so prudish! If anything Lucius has confided in me about Severus is true, you had best relinquish your maidenly fears concerning nakedness! That shall be the least of your worries!"

Claudia felt the blood drain from her face.

Madam Lestrange laughed maliciously as she freed Claudia's hair from its pins and pulled her hands through the impossible tangles of curls and waves.

"This is quite the unruly hair you have, my dear," she murmured.

"I have to work hard to keep it under control," admitted Claudia nervously.

Mrs. Malfoy peered into her eyes. "Most unusual, they are like the color of a fine brandy."

"She is much too pale for any of those," Mrs. Malfoy said, waving her hand toward a pile. "She needs warmth, fire... red! And we must definitely accentuate your figure, my dear! You have a lovely, ample bosom with hips to match. Severus is a very fortunate wizard!"

Soon, Claudia was fitted into a gorgeous red velvet dress that had a burnished hue to it. It was daring, as it clung to her curves and pushed up her bosom to an almost scandalous manner. She was fitted with white gloves, and a choice of stockings and shoes were made. The dress went straight to the floor with a small train with an equally scandalous slit up the left leg to match the cut of the bodice. Narcissa charmed her hair up in to a French twist, and Claudia looked at herself in the mirror for the first time. She was only a month and a week away from her fifteenth birthday, and she looked at least eighteen! She was so frightened; she could barely comprehend what Madam Malkin was trying to say.

"Now when you dance, child, you will slip this circle of material onto your middle finger so you can dance without the fear of tripping over your train," she explained.

***

By the time the ball was to begin, Claudia felt faintly nauseous. She was terrified. She sat at the vanity alone in her guest room and looked hard into her face. Her lips were painted a lovely dark red, and her eyes sparkled in the candlelight. She wasn't a beauty, but she had a loveliness about her, a calm serenity about her face that emitted peacefulness and tranquility. She thought to herself, I am going to become Mrs. Severus Snape. My name will be Claudia Snape. She still didn't know how she felt about it all, but she had to obey her parents' wishes, oh, and the Dark Lord's as well. Mustn't forget about the Dark Lord! she thought sarcastically.

Her wild riot of waves and curls had been tamed into a beautiful French twist. She fretted over looking so much older than fourteen. She prayed Severus would not be deceived by her dress and remember that underneath it all, she was still just a bookish girl who normally had unruly curls and ink smudges on her hands. She hoped Severus would not require her to have relations with him anytime soon!

***

She floated along, watching the beautiful people chatting, drinking, smoking, laughing, dancing. She was passed from one pure-blood family to the next, never without another lady by her side. She glimpsed Severus from across the room. He was quite intense looking in his black dress robes. He was with Lucius Malfoy, of course. Yet, it seemed to her that Severus was trying too hard to be like Lucius. He was trying to be carefree and nonchalant like Lucius. It did not work for him. He had to trust in his own abilities. He was not handsome like Lucius, but he had a raw energy that was unique. Perhaps that is what I can do! I can help him to evolve into the man he should be, not imitate a pale copy of another.

Finally, Claudia saw her parents enter. Thank God! She forced herself to remain calm and not run over like a silly girl. She walked over demurely and held out her arms to embrace her mother. Her mother kissed her cheeks, and Claudia gave a small curtsy to her father, as a young pure-blood lady should. Her father was most pleased at her keeping with propriety, and he took her chin into his gloved hand. His eyes, exactly the color of his daughter's, shone. His dark-bearded face broke into a smile as he looked over his daughter. Finally, he gave her a kiss on the forehead.

"You have made me very proud, my dear," he said happily.

"You are most welcome, sir," she murmured.

Narcissa and Lucius came over and welcomed the Fairfaxes. Suddenly a buzz came across the room. He was here! The entire ballroom erupted in applause, and immediately men and women all alike were bowing and curtsying to the Dark Lord. He was a vicious sight. His eyes were red, and his skin was so pale he looked like death. His face had taken upon a serpentine quality to it. The last time Claudia saw him, he looked much different, but that had been years ago. She shuddered at the look of him.

He gave a short speech, and at the close, he made the announcement Claudia was dreading. She watched as Snape slowly made his way next to the Dark Lord.

"My dear friends, most of you have met the young Severus Snape. He is a promising wizard and has been of enormous help to me this past summer. I want to officially introduce him into our society. Master Snape will also be joined with Miss Claudia Fairfax, daughter of Claudius and Sapphira Fairfax, in marriage after she comes of age and finishes her education at Hogwarts. Until then, she shall retain the status of 'Wife in Waiting.' Come, my dear," he called to her.

Claudia joined Severus, and they stood on either side of the Dark Lord. He took their hands closest to him and joined them. The room applauded, and Severus led his fiancée down to the waiting masses.

It was a blur of smiles, kisses, handshakes, and words of well-wishes. Soon the room was alive with music and the guests were dancing. Claudia danced with her fiancé and looked up into his eyes for the first time that night.

He was very satisfied. Although his face was grim, his eyes glittered.

"You have pleased me, Claudia. You and I shall be most happy. I promise to give you all the respect that is due you."

And what of love?

He mistook her sadness as fear over the idea of intercourse so soon. "Claudia, do not worry yourself. I have no designs on forcing you into my bed. You are still a child. It shall keep for now."

She still had not spoken to him when suddenly Mulciber halted them. "Miss Fairfax, our Lord wishes a word with you."

He offered his arm, and she went with him without so much as a glance back at her new fiancé.

She stood in front of the Dark Lord and curtsied to the floor.

"Please, look at me, child," he asked kindly in a high, nasal voice.

"You are a very well-mannered and lovely young woman. I have heard the most interesting information on your magical abilities as well as your extraordinary marks in school. You have a sterling reputation amongst your fellow Slytherins. I am so glad you have not sullied yourself with lesser males. You and Severus shall embark with me on an incredible journey that will culminate in the dawn of a new era where pure-bloods will rule the over the Mudbloods and Muggles that creep along this terrain."

His eyes locked into hers, and she found herself dizzy.

You will learn to obey me and serve me by uniting yourself with Severus.

She blinked. His lips had not moved, but the words were in her head. She was very afraid. Very afraid.

"Don't be afraid, child," he whispered to her softly. "Now enjoy your betrothal night."

He dismissed her with a wave. Mulciber took her arm, and she felt him pull at her. She blinked and shook her head a little. She was not well at all. She was walking towards Severus, and she was overwhelmed with everything around her. She was dancing now, and still as she swirled around and around, she still felt strange, as if she had been drugged.

"Look at me," a voice commanded.

Her eyes snapped up, and she was taken in by Severus' black eyes that knew no end in their depths. She felt so weak.

"Claudia!" he snapped.

Her mind snapped into focus. She was clear. Severus was looking her intently. He lowered his mouth onto hers. He had a time positioning his nose, but when he did, he brought her close to him, and she slid her arms up his back as he wound his around her shoulders. She felt shivers and tremors as he teased her lips with his. After he released her, she was shocked to find the entire room watching them and broke out into applause. She felt a ring slide upon the forefinger of her left hand. It was a antique emerald and diamond ring in a beautiful, long rectangle setting that she recognized immediately as a family heirloom. The small emeralds and diamonds sparkled in their delicate swirled pattern. She was officially now Severus Snape's intended. He had not asked permission of her father to kiss her, nor did he propose marriage. The transition was now complete. She went from one man's house to another's. But as she looked up at him, she realized, he had no home! He had no money! He needed her, and she was his security into this world she had been born into. But if she had been born into it, why did he seem to know the rules better than she?

***

The season passed swiftly with its various dinners, balls and receptions. She spent much of her time with Narcissa, Bellatrix, and Iris. Her head was fairly ready to burst with all the new information she had to retain. She was more than happy to return to Hogwarts where she could curl up with her books and forget all that had transpired. But each time the light caught the ring on her forefinger, she was dragged back to all that wanted to forget. Many times she longed to take it off, but feared what her fiancé would say if she did. So, when she was in her room in the evenings, she removed it and did not wear it as she slept. She had to allow her little rebellions, or she feared she might go quite mad!

One evening, she was working in the common room. Her hair was again eschew from fisting it in frustration as she tried to sort out her thoughts. She didn't know that Severus was watching her scribble furiously, with parchment and books piled around her. She had another ink smudge on her nose and on her fingers. She finally noticed a dark figure hovering above her. She looked up.

"My goodness, you really do nothing other than study, don't you?" he asked smoothly.

She raised her eyebrow at him. "I do have O.W.L.s to consider. This year is coming to a fast close, and I shall be starting my fifth year before I know it!" She pursed her lips and went back to work.

He regarded her, the bookworm, the know-it-all, as she was well known. She was pretty, intelligent, and had quite a lovely demeanor, albeit on the weak side when it came to dealing with other people on a social level. Not that he was any better! But she was no Lily, who was fiery and passionate...just what fueled his desires, but he would be content with Claudia. At least he would be able to have a decent conversation with her. But she was still too young. He left her alone then and walked away a great distance before turning around to capture the memory of her with her ink stained hands, wild hair, and books. That was the real Claudia. He rather liked her this way: untamed and focused. He decided to keep that image just for himself. Little did he know it would haunt him...