Chapter Text
Severus Snape had always been skittish. He didn't trust very easily, and he had plenty of reason. At the first sign of danger, he'd hide. Like a feral animal you admire for their strength and aloofness, but can't help wanting to tame and keep as a pet.
It started when they were Death Eaters. Narcissa hadn't seen much of Severus at Hogwarts despite being in the same house (she was five years ahead of him), but she had heard a little about him from Lucius, who had been a prefect and recognized his talents. When Severus started attending the Dark Lord's meetings at Lucius' invitation, she saw a young, brilliant man hungry to prove himself. She could see it in those intense black eyes. He didn't have Lucius' aristocratic good looks or wealth or connections, but he had some raw appeal, and he definitely had potential.
She started making an effort to get to know him. He was civil, but while he clearly wanted to fit in, he had reservations. He kept everyone at arm's length. There was a mask up at all times, and she knew it. It felt like the mask she wore to look like the dutiful pureblood wife. It had been Lucius' idea to follow the Dark Lord, and Narcissa had gone along with him. Logically, it made sense to align yourself with the more powerful side more likely to win. But she was already bored, bored with her arranged marriage, bored with the meetings where the Dark Lord droned on and on. Severus presented a challenge, a novelty to explore.
He had stoically accepted the honor of being marked, kissing the Dark Lord's hem to further ingratiate himself. But when Narcissa found him later, he was sitting alone and clutching his inflamed arm, gritting his teeth from the lingering pain he didn't want to show anybody. He was only 19, still fresh from Hogwarts. So young, so alone, so desperate to appear strong and belong.
She came up to him quietly, holding out a vial of pain reliever. He drew back, offended.
"I can brew that myself," he snarled.
"But you haven't. You're sitting here trying to tough it out, with no audience to see how resilient you are. Or are you saving that for the next meeting?"
He glared at her, but she simply stared back, still holding out the vial. At last, Severus snatched the potion, gave it a brief whiff, and gulped it down.
"... Thank you."
Narcissa sat beside him. "You should have seen Lucius when he took the mark. As soon as the Dark Lord was out of earshot, he was bawling at me to fetch potions and salves. I spent all night having to soothe him."
Severus looked at her with mixed skepticism and amusement, but said nothing.
"A strong front is necessary, but it helps to have someone you can let your guard down with," she continued. "Do you have someone?"
Severus scowled, ducking his head to hide his face behind a curtain of greasy hair. Narcissa knew the answer. Many of the Dark Lord's followers were purebloods who wanted supremacy, but there were also plenty who were simply outcasts, who had no one else and were hoping to be protected by the Dark Lord's power. She knew Severus had no family left to care one way or the other, but apparently he didn't even have friends.
"Not even one friend?" she asked.
"I don't need them," Severus rumbled in a bitter tone.
"Not ever?"
Severus' shoulders shook slightly as he inhaled. "No."
"I thought there was that Muggleborn girl Lucius said you liked."
"... Not anymore."
"I see. It is probably for the best. The Dark Lord wouldn't approve. You may find, however, that better options are available to you now." She set a manicured hand on his shoulder and he flinched, pulling away.
"Severus?"
He got up, still holding his arm, and scurried away, leaving Narcissa alone in the room. He was definitely rough around the edges.
And she couldn't wait to start polishing him into a gem.
Lucius agreed to invite Severus over for dinner, and Severus agreed to come. It was a quiet, polite meal, with the usual pleasantries, and afterwards they retired to the parlor for more conversation. Narcissa observed the way Severus moved, how he walked, how he sat, the way he handled his cutlery and tea cup. He was a bit twitchy at times, like a nervous spider, but he was no oaf; there was some natural grace emerging in the aftermath of gangly puberty. It just needed to be coaxed out further and refined.
When it was time for Severus to leave, Lucius cordially bid their guest goodnight, and Narcissa walked him to the door.
"Thank you for coming, Severus. We enjoyed having you."
"Thank you for the invitation."
"I hope I can persuade you to visit again. I would like to get to know you more."
Severus dropped his gaze. "There is not much to know."
"I'm not sure I believe that. I'd rather find out for myself."
He didn't look up. "Goodnight, Narcissa." He turned on his heel and left.
She wasn't discouraged. It would take time, but she was up for the challenge. It would be fun to have a puzzle to tackle.
"Is Lucius not coming?" Severus asked as Narcissa poured him tea.
"I'm afraid not. He had business at the Ministry." She handed him the cup. "He was just elected to join the board of governors for Hogwarts, you know."
"Good for him," Severus said dryly.
"Unimpressed?" she asked with a smile.
"I am sure it is a good move for him."
"But?"
Severus sipped his tea. "I do not recall Hogwarts with much fondness."
"Really? That's a shame. I loved it. I was able to hone my magical skills, I made friends, and I met Lucius."
"It is as good a place as any for honing magical ability," Severus admitted.
Narcissa nodded thoughtfully. She knew that there were still no friends for him in the picture, and to her knowledge he hadn't met a potential mate. "You haven't met anyone else you liked?"
A cloud fell over his features. "No."
"I'm sorry. That sounds lonely."
He set his cup down with an audible clank on the saucer. "I don't require your sympathy, Narcissa. You and I had very different experiences, and that is all. I managed just fine."
"I know you did. You're very resourceful. Achieving your potions mastery at such a young age, that takes talent as well as effort. It's no wonder the Dark Lord is impressed with you."
Severus stared into his tea cup, like he didn't believe her.
"You are talented, Severus, even if no one has told you this before."
He sighed.
"With a little extra effort, you could be quite formidable. A force to be reckoned with. No one would ever underestimate you again, unless you wanted them to."
Severus didn't reply, but she could tell he was listening. The wheels were turning behind those deep black eyes.
"Imagine," she went on, "being respected and admired, as you ought to be. You could be envied and wanted, never cast aside again by people who don't see your brilliance."
Severus thought for another minute. "Why are you so interested in my reputation?"
"I like to think I see potential. I have the audacity to want to bring it out. And it would reflect well on me to mentor one of our younger members." She reached for his hand, but he drew it back. "It's in your best interest as well. Wouldn't you take the opportunity to distinguish yourself?"
After a few seconds of thought, he nodded.
Lucius was thorough in teaching Severus the finer arts of navigating noble society, but was gratified to see his protégé was a quick study. Severus picked up fine table manners, how to address peers, and general formal etiquette well enough that he could be mistaken for a pureblood.
Narcissa was fine tuning his gait. Severus wasn't one to lumber around, but she worked with him until the twitchiness melted away and he moved with total economy and grace, fairly gliding across the floor, elegantly sitting and rising, using his long fingers to deftly manipulate any object.
"That's it. Just wrap the fingers, as if you were caressing a kitten's head."
Severus gently curled his fingers around the porcelain tea cup as though the slightest pressure might shatter it.
"Now use your little finger to support it as you pick it up. It should be one smooth movement."
He tried, and the cup grated against the saucer.
"Again."
He tried a few more times, getting the idea but still rather wobbly.
"Narcissa, why the hell does it matter how I pick up a cup?"
"Because if you snatch it up, you're liable to spill."
"I know how to pick up a cup without spilling."
"Here. Watch me." Narcissa demonstrated lifting her cup in a fluid, elegant manner without rattling it against the saucer. Then she placed her hand over Severus' fingers. "Like this." She gently manipulated his hand through the movements. "See?"
"I think so."
Her hand lingered on his for a moment before letting go. "Try it again."
Severus slowly wrapped his fingers around the cup, sliding his little finger underneath it as he lifted it with barely a sound. Narcissa smiled encouragingly.
"Better."
There was a hint of an upturn on Severus' thin lips.
“What are you using for your hair?” Narcissa lifted a few strands of Severus' limp locks, and he pulled back.
“Shampoo. Doesn't everyone?”
“How often do you wash it?”
“I know how to wash my hair. Hours of standing in potion fumes renders it ineffective, however.”
“Perhaps you could formulate something to counteract it.”
Severus shrugged a little. “Perhaps.”
“I know you could.”
“My ability isn't the question. I simply haven't felt the need to. There's never been any…”
Narcissa gave him an encouraging smile. “There is now. You can't put forth your best in society by neglecting your hygiene. A well groomed appearance makes a good impression.”
She leaned in and examined his face next; he drew back a little but didn't step away or stop her.
“Your skin could use some moisturizer. It's dry, isn't it.”
“I hadn't noticed.”
“Trust me on this, Severus. When you take proper care of yourself, people take you more seriously. Your homework is to brew or buy some stronger shampoo and some moisturizer.”
“Very well.”
She heard the reluctance in his voice, like he wasn't convinced. “It's not just for appearance's sake. You'll feel better about yourself. It'll boost your confidence.”
He gave her a wry look. “Sometimes I believe you're just having fun with your new dress up doll.”
“I'm allowed to have a little fun, aren't I? But this is all for your good. You'll see.”
Two weeks later, there was a noticeable difference. His skin was more supple and had a healthier look, and his hair was soft and shiny, not limp with a greasy sheen.
“Much better!” Narcissa felt his hair, and he didn't pull away. “Don't you feel better?”
“I suppose so. It's been nice.”
“Just admit it, Severus. I was right.”
He relented with a slight smile. “You were right, Narcissa.”
She had yet to let go of his hair.
Severus had stopped questioning why Lucius was rarely around during his lessons with Narcissa anymore. Lucius had taught him social graces and deportment, but it was Narcissa who was consistently pouring into him. She was the one more invested in putting in the time and effort to mentor him, while Lucius mostly just vouched for him during Death Eater meetings, when he wasn't kissing the Dark Lord's arse to make himself look good. But Narcissa soon made it clear that she had her own interests that had nothing to do with Lucius or the Dark Lord.
"And what are we learning today?" Severus asked as Narcissa traced a finger through his hair.
"How to excite pleasure."
He looked up at her from his chair with skepticism. "You're trying to turn me into some high class whore, aren't you."
She smiled with amusement. "No. A whore is for hire to the highest bidder and doesn't discriminate. But anyone can learn how to use their charms with the right people to their advantage."
"Are you saying seduction is a vital social skill?" he asked calmly.
"It can come in handy. But not everyone has the touch." She ran her finger tips along his jaw.
Severus remained stoic. "To give it, or receive it?"
"To give it. But a good recipient is important too. It must be the right time, and the right target." She brushed her fingers down his chest. He inhaled, and they both heard it shake.
"And…" Severus purred, "do you believe I could be the seductor, or the recipient?"
"You could seduce whoever you wanted, Severus, I have no doubt. But I do have hopes that you could be a great recipient as well." She brushed her hand down his stomach, and he shivered.
"What does Lucius think of this?" he murmured.
"He knows nothing. He never had to win me, and he's never tried."
Severus maintained eye contact. "A pity."
Narcissa placed one of his hands on her waist and held it there. She drew a knee up onto his lap, pinning him in place.
"Lesson one: How to find the sweet spot. Most people have a favorite place. Once you find it, they're like clay in your hands. The key is to experiment. Explore. Pay attention. Let them tell you where they want you."
Severus slowly ran his hand across her body, his long fingers testing each spot, every curve. When he drew a moan from Narcissa, he used both hands. Their eye contact lasted another moment before she was kissing him, her own hands exploring him until he moaned into her mouth.
"You've heard of concubines, haven't you?" Narcissa asked the young man lying in bed beside her. The trysts with her protégé had been going on for a few months, the lessons getting more physical while Lucius was out of the house.
"I have. They're like a kept spouse, without all the rights of a spouse."
"But they can enjoy many benefits. Purebloods have been taking concubines for centuries, and they always ensure they are amply provided for. Concubines in noble families can enjoy great status and respectability and lead very comfortable lives."
"Is Lucius thinking of taking one, or…?" Severus thought he guessed where this was going.
"I thought I'd take one for myself." Narcissa brushed some hair from Severus' face. "Someone capable and clever I could keep under my wing and spoil rotten."
"Spoil how?" Severus was listening.
She smiled encouragingly. "Fine clothes. The best food. You'll live here with me at the manor instead of that broken down old house, all alone. You'll have the respect of being tied to the house of Black and connected to the house of Malfoy. Everyone will be envious of you and your pampered lifestyle."
"What else?"
"How about an elaborate potions lab with everything you could ever need at your fingertips?"
His eyes sparkled with interest. "If I agree, you will give me all that? Everything I need?"
"Everything you need, anything you want." She kissed his jaw.
"Very well. I accept."
She kissed him again, on the lips.
The paperwork was drawn up the very next day. While Lucius was at the Ministry, his wife quietly bonded with her new concubine in a private ceremony, then brought him straight home.
"Are you happy, Severus?" she asked him in his new bedroom on his new bed, undoing his shirt.
"Yes." He was lying beneath her, looking up at his new mistress with indolent pleasure. "Are you?"
"Very happy." She kissed him and worked faster on his shirt.
"Good. I'm pregnant."
Her hands stopped as his shirt fell open. "What?"
He took one of her hands and slid it down his exposed chest to his bare stomach with a sly smile. "Eight weeks gone. It's yours."