The Raven and The Snake

Potter was far from the best student, but unforgivable fate had given him a unique connection to the Dark Lord's mind. Without ever having to study legilimency, Potter could peer through the eyes of a master.

Had this ability been given to Snape, it would have been invaluable. He could have made use of it for the Order. Instead, uselessly incompetent, unobservant Potter had gotten it. This meant that rather than being an asset, it was a danger to their entire operation.

Snape had been ordered by Dumbledore to give him lessons in occlumency, really giving him no choice.

Though Snape hated to admit it, even to himself, Ariadne would have been better suited. She had been naturally gifted from the start. Now, as they were in such frequent contact, he was able to see her growth on the study. She had a way of being able to extend her consciousness. Her mind brushed against his as easily as her hand touched his. She had a firm hold on it too. Since that one time while he was teaching her, she never pressed further into him than he was comfortable with.

She used her legilimency to ask him questions which he could choose not to answer. She even made it easier for him to lower mental walls so that only she could gain access. And like the space she took up in the bedroom, she only ever took what was necessary of his mind to gauge his opinions or desires.

If he was being entirely truthful, he was certain that if she wanted to, she could break him. His years over her meant very little against her raw talent. Had she wanted to, she might have even been able to break into the mind of Lord Voldemort. But as she encouraged him to lower his guard, she also lowered her own. He could sense her hesitance to get closer to her grandfather. Though her acting was nearly flawless, he could feel the terror she held. He couldn't fault her as it was entirely earned, but he felt that it was all the more reason for her to be better equipped to train Potter.

First, they had to get through the holidays.

Proud Lucius Malfoy had always kept an immaculate home. It wasn't a surprise to find that the Dark Lord had taken a fancy. It was more than spacious with so few full-time residents. Unavoidably, Ariadne arrived first during this time. They had discussed ahead of time what she was allowed to share with her grandfather. Everything they said needed to be able to line up with each other. In some ways she was expected to hold a little more insight, knowing in better detail what the students were up to while Snape focused on the Order.

When Snape arrived shortly after her, he found her in a compromising situation. It wasn't exactly the first time he had seen Lord Voldemort touching Ariadne in inappropriate ways. He was constantly laying his disturbingly long, discolored fingers on her face. This time though, rather than having her bow at his feet, he had pulled her onto his lap.

Ariadne was straddling her grandfather in a way she'd done quite recently to Snape. The Dark Lord's hands were exploring her supple figure, admiring her beauty. It was a given that she wasn't allowed to pull away, but when she heard the door open, she turned her head.

A small wave of panic and revulsion hit Snape. He didn't know if it was from her or himself. She schooled her expression well, her body arcing slightly to press a little more firmly against the Dark Lord before she stood up. She even went so far as to allow her hands to linger as though she were reluctant to come to him.

As part of their couple act in front of Lord Voldemort, Snape was to act docile around Ariadne. He had to accept her initiated contact. He had to pretend to be more conscious of her than anyone else while she pretended to be uninterested. It was a reverse of their actual relationship.

It was becoming muscle memory for him to track her movement. When she extended her hands to him, he caught her, pulling her closer. When he lowered his head, she kissed him softly and as she did, she imparted some of her emotion to him.

She had looked so natural while Lord Voldemort touched her. All of her little gestured perfectly aligned to a character that was doting on the lord's every whim. Only to Snape did she express her true feelings of dread and relief that he'd come to her aid.

When he accepted her kiss, he was really allowing her a moment of reprieve. The monster in his chest hadn't liked seeing her in that position, but it did like her reliance on him. It wanted her to desire only him. Only feel safe with him. Only be his.

It was possible that the Dark Lord sensed the possessive nature Snape was beginning to feel toward Ariadne. In the mansion, they didn't have to hide that their relationship had become physical so they gave into carnal cravings more easily than they did in the castle. The kisses in public were for Lord Voldemort's benefit, after all and in the evenings, Ariadne didn't attempt to cover the sounds of her lust.

Perhaps, it was because they were showing off. Eagerly pretending that she had done her job in front of the Dark Lord while Snape's monster indulged in knowing he had her wrapped around his finger.

During the Christmas dinner, Lord Voldemort asked Ariadne an unexpected question. He asked her if she was planning to mother children. It had caught both her and Snape off guard. Of course, he didn't plan on putting a baby in her and she was still in school.

She responded appropriately enough. Babies hadn't been on her mind at all, or at least, she hadn't hinted anything to Snape.

But Lord Voldemort made it clear that he didn't expect the children to be fathered by Snape. Yes, he had encouraged the two to copulate, but it wasn't merely a blessing bestowed on the relationship. He wanted Ariadne to tame Snape further, but when all was said and done, she was going to be expected to end up with someone of better breeding.

Ariadne rarely made public statements towards her true feelings regarding muggles. As far as Snape was aware, she held no particular interest in them as possible partners. But she evaded talks about her future while implying she would not be entirely opposed to using Snape's seed if ordered.

Gods, they prayed it wouldn't be an order.

Lord Voldemort was crafty. He had implied an ominous use for children from Ariadne, instilling fear of what might be born if they were to slip up. He'd also firmly reminded Snape that she was his pawn. As he understood it, she had only accepted Snape under his order and if he changed his mind, he didn't doubt that she would move on.

Only Snape knew that she wasn't doing this on orders. That she had wanted Snape from the start and it was only under orders that Snape had deigned to allow her physical allure to tempt him. That she didn't belong to the Dark Lord, but to Snape.