The snake and the lion (Severus x OC)

10- Narcissa's promise

Severus Snape was the happiest man in the world.

He would never have imagined that he would get to be with a woman like Rose, and yet he was dating her. Both tried to keep their relationship discreet. Firstly, because they were both very private people, and they did not like to be the center of attention because of their personal affairs. But the most important reason was Lord Voldemort.

Although Rose was being protected by Dumbledore's spells, the girl did not know to what extent such protection was effective. She and Severus feared that Rose could become a target of the death eaters if they weren't careful.

Sometimes, sporadically, they dared to touch hands if they passed each other in the corridors or shared a furtive kiss if no one else was around.

But the only place where they felt completely safe was dungeon number three, where they no longer brewed potions, but instead practiced Occlumency, spells and curses, or simply spent time together. Every day it was more difficult to resist the temptation of spending all evening just kissing, and to keep their increasingly daring caresses under control.

Everything was going relatively well until one morning in April things got complicated.

Severus had just entered his common room after having spent an entire afternoon practicing Occlumency with Rose. The spell still resisted him, but he had managed to show only a fleeting memory of his childhood in an unclear way, and Rose had rewarded him with a beautiful smile and a big kiss.

Severus was happy, and not just because of the kiss. If he continued to improve like this, he would soon be able to stop Rose from entering his mind. He already knew that it was not the same as avoiding Voldemort's Legilimency, but at least he was not completely unprotected, and that made him feel safe.

He was so happy that he at first ignored the new sign hanging from the wall. When he finally became aware of its presence, he pushed aside the first years in front of him and read what it said. He was instantly stunned.

"Slytherin students!

"The contamination of the Old Blood is over! We summon you to put an end to the plague of impure people who tarnish the name of wizards.

"A new era is going to be born, free of those who seek to be equal to the purebloods.

"Join us and you will be in the winner side.

"Death to the half-bloods! Death to the mudbloods!"

The note was signed with the drawing of a Dark Mark.

It took Severus a moment to read the note three times, and then he walked like an automaton towards an armchair, next to Lucius.

"Did you like the note?"

"Have you written it?" Severus asked in turn.

"Who else? Someone had to take the first step."

"And you haven't thought about what could happen if Slughorn came in here? Or Dumbledore?"

"That airhead of Slughorn wouldn't visit our common room for the world," Lucius replied, "as for the old headmaster, he won't do anything if no one tells him anything, and no one will," he then looked at Severus intently. "What's the matter? Are you on the side of those dirty half-breeds?"

"You forget that I'm a half-blood too," Severus said coldly.

"Are you with that again? You are one of us," Lucius replied, somewhat annoyed. "You have the Mark, right? You're from Slytherin, right? So, what is the problem?" Severus simply glared at his partner without saying anything. "Stop worrying, or you'll give the wrong impression," Lucius laid down on the couch and glanced at his companion. "Tomorrow you will see the little surprise that awaits those half-breeds," he added, with a cold smile that Severus did not like at all.