Fantasy #7 for eeyore9990 Title: The Proper Incentive Author:irana Recipient:eeyore9990 Pairing: Snape/Bill, surprise second pairing Rating: PG Word Count: 1, 845 Summary: Harry is Slytherin enough to know that all it takes is the proper incentive to make things happen. Disclaimer: Harry Potter and company are owned by JK Rowling. This work of fiction is for entertainment purposes only and makes no monetary gain for the author. Highlight for Warnings: *none *
The Proper Incentive
"That's a fantastic idea, Harry," Hermione agreed, "But I'm not certain you'll be able to get everyone to participate." She was thinking specifically of two people – both of whom could use the positive publicity and neither of whom she could see willingly agreeing.
Harry gave her a look and snorted. "I know who you're thinking of, Hermione. With those two, it's just a matter of using the right enticement," he said confidently. Granted, he wasn't nearly as sure as he sounded, but he did have a plan to get them both to participate. "Besides, the auction is on the same night as the All Hallows Ball… we'll do the bid by silent auction and have the winners pick up the person whose company they won."
Hermione gave him a skeptical look and shook her head. "All right, Harry. Tell me what you need me to do."
~~~~
The day of the All Hallows Ball dawned bright and beautiful. The air was crisp and fresh as the participants in Harry's charity auction entered the room in the Ministry set aside for the event. Bidders submitted their proposal along with the name of the person's time they wished to purchase on parchment charmed to contain the magical signature of the buyer. All submissions were private and remained so until the highest contract was accepted. Then, and only then, was the winner revealed to the seller.
There were a great many people in that room, including Bill Weasley, Neville Longbottom, and Seamus Finnigan.
"Neville?" Hermione asked, surprise clear in her voice.
Neville flushed. "I'm bidding. I... well, Harry asked if..."
Hermione smiled and rested her hand on Neville's arm. "It's good to see you, Neville," she said gently. "You don't need to explain, I was just surprised to see you."
Neville grinned and relaxed, glancing behind her. "I was surprised to see Bill. Did you know he'd come back?"
Hermione nodded. "I did, but I didn't know he was bidding either." She looked over at Bill and smiled, then turned back to Neville. "Good luck," she said. "I'll see you at the Ball tonight," she added before she headed off to say hello to Bill.
~~~~
Severus stared balefully at the owl sitting on his table. It carried a package that clearly bore his name; one he was loathe to open. First, it hailed from a prestigious clothier in London. Second, the label was handwritten; the writing familiar to him. Add in the wild mixture of hope, elation, and terror he experienced on sight of it and it was only understandable that a man with his history would be more than a little cautious. There was also the fact that there had been a separate note attached which explained that the parcel contained the costume he was meant to wear to the evening's Ball, the clear implication that it was a gift from the person who bought his company glaringly obvious.
Finally, he retrieved the box and fed the owl a treat. It hooted at him and flew away, leaving him to stew over whether or not to open it.
~~~~
Draco sighed at the owl that flew through his window. There had been many owls since he agreed to participate in Potter's auction and he was beginning to tire of them. He was grateful this one, at least, wasn't a Howler. He took the package and gasped as he opened it. Inside was a rare orchid, perfectly formed, with purple and silver petals. He didn't recognize the handwriting, but the note was clear enough; the person who had won him would be wearing a matching bloom. For the first time since the entire fiasco began, Draco smiled. Perhaps his evening wouldn't be as disastrous as he'd expected.
~~~
Severus stood in front of his mirror blinking at what he saw. The costume was one he never would have expected; while he had anticipated an Egyptian theme of some sort, he had not imagined the ceremonial clothing of Hourous. He was surprised to discover the clothing both suited him and gave him an air of dignity despite the ornateness of it. His buyer had chosen well. A small, rarely seen smile curved his lips before he Apparated to Ministry to meet his 'date' for the evening. He was looking forward to it more than he'd first believed .
The ballroom was filled with brightly costumed people; some wearing glamours, some not, all brightly plumed and gaily laughing. Severus smirked and made his way to the spot that gave him the best vantage point of the entire room. There were several Eygptian themed costumes, none of which he would place his company for the evening in. He glanced at the person that settled next to him clothed like a sheik of some sort, silky material draped across his face and over his shoulders. Severus almost dismissed him and then he caught sight of his eyes.
"Mr. Weasley," he greeted. "Dare I ask how much purchasing my admittedly dismal company for this evening damaged your Gringott's account?"
Bill laughed and pulled the wrap from his face. "I'd say it was worth every Galleon to see you in that outfit. Thanks for coming; I thought you'd prefer to meet me rather than have me appear on your doorstep."
"A wise decision," Severus replied. He looked out over the crowd and frowned. "Is that my godson I see with... dear Salazar, Neville Longbottom?"
Bill looked over that way and chuckled. "I do believe it is. They seem to be enjoying themselves," he added as he watched Draco laugh at something Neville said.
Severus blinked at the sight. "I haven't seen him laugh since his Father lost himself and his mother left."
Bill watched the pair for another few moments, well aware that Severus was as well. "Looks like he might have found someone he doesn't mind being with. He's been holing up at home since his mother left, right? At least, that's what Harry says."
"He has," Severus confirmed, still watching his godson respond positively to whatever was being said to him by Longbottom.
"Well, maybe you won't have to worry about that anymore," Bill suggested. "So, shall we get on with our evening?" he prompted.
"So long as you do not propose we dance, by all means."
"Oh, we'll dance, Severus, just in private. That, I promise you," Bill said, a wicked smile on his face. "Shall we greet our host and get out of here? I do have other plans for tonight, and spending the entire evening here isn't a part of it."
Curious at Bill's obvious confidence as well as to what else he might have planned, Severus nodded and allowed himself to be drawn to where Harry was seated.
~~~
After having been wined and dine in a manner he had never experienced in his life, Severus was relaxed and comfortable enough to invite Bill into this home for a drink. As they stood on the porch, Bill told Severus frankly, "I feel it only fair to tell you that once I enter your home, I'll be doing my level best to get not only inside your bedroom, but to get you out of your clothing."
A dark brow rose at that and a soft laugh sounded in Severus's throat. "Precisely why do you believe I would even consider inviting you into my bed?"
Bill grinned. "You've already spent the entire evening my company, you have yet to curse me, and you've invited me in for a drink," he said, stepping close enough to Severus he could feel his body heat. "You've also given me leave to use your given name. Granted, it may not be tonight, but I will be invited into your bed. I've fancied you for far too long to give up now."
The other brow rose even as Severus opened the door. "By all means, William, do come inside. I am quite curious to see what passes for seduction in your mind."
Bill grinned at him and stepped inside. "It's not what counts as seduction to me, Severus, but what arouses you," he replied. "I've always enjoyed a challenge, you know."
Severus waited until Bill's back was turned before he allowed the pleased smile to surface.
~~~~
Severus woke the next morning with a small frown. There was an additional body in his bed. He shifted and a familiar - though drowsy - voice said, "Go back to sleep, Severus. It's too early for thinking."
"Mr. Weasley," Severus began, only to be interrupted by Bill's soft laugh.
"We're well past last names, Severus, as my sore arse can attest to. Go back to sleep. We can discuss what this means later."
Severus was silent for several long minutes before he spoke once more. "Should I presume that you intend to make yourself comfortable in my home for some time?" It was a revealing question, but one he needed to ask. He would simply expel Weasley from his home if all he'd wanted was a shag.
Bill snorted. "Just try to get rid of me," he replied immediately. "You'll find it difficult at worst, impossible at best. And yes, I meant it exactly that way. Now go back to sleep, will you?"
Severus smirked and resettled himself in the bed, closer to the warm body behind him. "You did say you enjoyed a challenge after all," he murmured before he allowed sleep to reclaim him.
~~~
Draco woke to the scent of Turkish coffee and eggs. He frowned as he looked around the bedroom he was in; it wasn't his own. It only took a moment for the night before to come back to him and he smiled. Although he'd been skeptical when Potter had promised that it would be worth his time to participate in the auction, he had agreed. Potter had assured him that it would be good for his reputation, and that he'd be bought by someone Draco would be pleased with. Not only had Potter been right, but Draco'd had a remarkable evening. He'd had good company, good food, good wine, and excellent after party conversation. He'd even had a host gracious enough to not take advantage of his inebriated state.
He inhaled the delicious scents floating on the air and smirked. He was sober now. Neville had no reason to delay intimacy. If he did... well, Draco would simply have to convince him.
~~~~
Hermione sat across from Harry, munching on her bagel. "I am curious, Harry. How did you get Severus and Malfoy to participate? Their bids alone raised a full third of the final donation."
Harry grinned and said, "I told you, it was just a matter of offering the right incentive. It helps when you know them both; Malfoy was lonely and needed to laugh. Severus has been alone too long and wanted a partner. It didn't hurt that I knew whom both of them fancied."
"You don't mean..." Hermione began.
"Wait and see, Hermione," Harry interrupted, a small smile pulling at his lips. "Wait and see."