I had a dream, I got everything I wanted

The marriage bond

A hooded figure appears in the narrow street with a faint pop, stumbling for a moment before going on their way. A nearby fox stares, perplexed at the new person.

Another pop. Another hooded figure.

"Wait!" A shrill voice send the fox jumping, hopping out of its hiding place and onto the bank. A flash of green, and it lays on the ground, paws sticking upwards. Dead. "A fox," the same raw voice mumbles. "I thought an Auror – Cissy, wait!"

She rushes to catch up with the first hooded figure, who was now standing on the bank where the fox had been. "Cissy – Narcissa – Listen to me –" She caught the first womans arm, only for her to pull it away from her hand.

"Go back, Bella! You can't decide this for me."

"You must listen to me –"

"I have! I've listened, and I've made my choice. Leave me alone! "

Narcissa held onto the railing that split the river from the street. Bella, the other woman, followed suit, and side by side they walked. Narcissa blacked out someything Bella mumbled abut Muggles. She had more important matters to tend too.

She turned a corner roughly, and felt Bella's hand catching her wrist once again.

"You can't do this, Cissy! We are not to speak of the plan to anyone! This is–"

"It's his son, Bella!" Narcissa yells, then lowering her voice. "It's family. He deserves to know; he must know."

Bella huffs as her acquaintence continues through the labyrinth of twists and turns. She tightens her grip on the womans arm. "I don't trust him."

"The dark lord trusts him."

"The dark lord also trusts Lucius. Need I remind you what that man has done?" That drove Narcissa over the edge. She took out her wand, pointing it at Bella's face.

Bella only scoffed. "You own sister? You wouldn't."

"Theres nothing I wouldn't do anymore." She pointed her wand to Bella's hand, casting a heat spell. Bella pulled away, rubbing her burnt hand. She kept a considerable distance between herself and Narcissa as they walked.

Finally, Narcissa stopped in front of a dark, old house on a street by the name of Spinner's End. She knocked on the door before Bella could stop her. Through the dull windows, they could see the outline of they man they wanted to speak too.

"Narcissa!" He stated, opening the door so he could see both her and her sister, "What a pleasant surprise."

The woman in questioned sighed, relieved he was home. "Severus, may I speak with you? It's urgent."

"But of course."

He stood back, leading the two through the house and into the living quarters. He ignored Bellatrix's degrading glare as he sat down in an armchair. He kept an eye on Narcissa's shaking hands as she sat opposite him on the worn sofa.

"We-we are alone, yes?"

He nods shortly, locking the door with a flick of his wand. "The vermin's locked in the basement, I doubt he'll hear anything."

The blonde nods, taking in a deep breath. She picks up the glass of wine on the table, bringing it to her lips. "I'm so sorry to barge in here like this Severus. You have to understand that you're the only person I trust to help me with this,"

"I oughtn't speak about it, The Dark Lord himself has forbidden me doing so, but–"

"Exactly!" Bellatrix screeched from the corner of the room. "Do you want to endanger yourself and Draco?"

"Oh for gods sake, Bella, we've already talked about this-"

Severus is quick to stop the sisters' bickering. "As it so happens, I'm aware of your situation, Narcissa."

He ignores Bellatrix's shocked "You? The Dark Lord trusted you with this information?" And waits for Narcissa's response.

Her glass is shaking hand. "He's only a boy. He shouldn't entangle himself in the affairs of men, you of all people should know that, Severus." She states, voice shaking.

"I can't change the Dark Lords mind, the plan is set," He pauses sed wail that slips past Narcissa's lips. "Although, it may be possible for me to.. assist Draco in his task."

Narcissa is staring up at him, speechless. "Would you? Oh Severus, thank you, you don't know what this means to me!" Her arms are around his neck, causing his cheeks to tinge a light pink.

In the far corner of the room, Bellatrix scoffs. "You don't actually believe him, do you Cissy? He'll try his best, but when the time comes, he'll give up and pretend it never happened. Coward."

Snape's eyebrow quirks upward. "I'd be more than happy to swear to it."

"The Unbreakable Vow? No, I have a much better idea. The Marriage Bond"

Narcissa stares at her sister. "Bella-"

"I'm not taking no for an answer," The raven-haired witch sings, "Do you really think that I don't know about the way you two have been sneaking around all summer? I would've expected you to think better of me, Narcissa."

Snape is pinching the bridge of his nose. "Alright. I'll participate."

Bellatrix squeals in delight. "Wonderful! I've never gotten to perform a Marriage Ceremony before!" She clears her throat as the couple take hold of each others hands. "Do you, Severus Snape, agree to having Narcissa Black as your soulmate? To save from pain, to share memories with?"

"I do."

"And do you, Narcissa Black, agree to having Severus Snape as your soulmate? To help through torture, to create a world with?"

"I do."

"And do the both of you vow to protect each others offsprings, be that those you share, or those born out of the bond?"

"We do."

A thin golden band appears on Narcissa's finger, with a single diamond in the top, so small it's barely visible. A nearly identical ring appears on Severus' finger, only slightly thicker than that of his wife.

Bellatrix all but throws her arms around her sister. "Congratulations Cissy! I do, genuinely hope that you'll be happier in this marriage than the last."

Narcissa giggles lightly, pulling away from her sister and turning to Severus. "Thank you, Severus. We should leave, Draco will be home soon." She lets her lips brush against his cheek before turning around and grabbing her cloak, leaving Severus to his thoughts.