Disclaimer Don't own it.
"Crucio!" The gasps and screams of a death eater rattled in the night air until the dark lord released him from his spell. Voldemort grabbed the man by his robes and lifted him to his feet.
"Do not fail me again, Avery." The dark lord hissed.
"No, sir." Avery fell back down to his knees and kissed the hem of his master's robes.
This was the end of the meeting. Voldemort turned, his robes billowing out behind him. After a few strides he disapparated with a quiet "pfft".
Snape had turned to go, remembering the important things he had to report to Dumbledore and the Order, when the long thin fingers of Lucius Malfoy seized his arm.
"Severus, a moment of your time if you would." Lucius spoke in a sinisterly soft voice and flashed Snape an insincere smile. The other death eaters were disapparating. Malfoy did not let go of Snape arm until they where alone. They both removed there masks. Then Severus spoke.
"Well, Malfoy" He said the other mans name slowly and without apprehension. A bored look etched on his face. Malfoy eyeballed him for a moment.
"You look tired, Severus. It must be exhausting working for Dumbledore."
"Yes, teaching is an arduous job."
"I didn't mean teaching."
Snape paused momentarily, his face inscrutable. Malfoy searched his face before continuing. "Or maybe you're having trouble sleeping. A Guilty conscious perhaps?" Snape saw a dangerous glint in Malfoy's grey eyes, he thought back quickly over the last few days. He had been to 12 Grimmauld Place the night before to inform his least favourite student that they were about to spent some extra quality time together. Dumbledore had insisted on him teaching the Potter boy occlumency. A subject Severus had very little faith that Harry would master. Had he been followed? No, he would've sensed it. He focused hard on closing his mind.
"What are you insinuating, Malfoy" Snape drawled as he stood a little taller.
"Oh, nothing." He gestured grandly moving away from Severus. "It's just…Do you remember Lockwood? I believe the Dark Lord performed the Imperius curse on him. Made him cut out his own intestines and strangle himself with them." His eyes narrowed, "Do you remember why?"
Severus cleared his throat and composed himself. "Because of his treason against the Dark Lord."
Malfoy smiled menacingly, "Ah, yes. That was it. Betrayal is the most wicked crime, don't you think?" he closed in on Snape. His eyes narrowing again. "And it will be punished as such."
"I don't know what you're talking about Lucius." Hissed Snape.
"I hope you don't." replied Lucius quickly. "For your sake. It is interesting, however, to note how off the mark some your information has been this year. Some more cynical people may think you're trying to sabotage us, Snape." Malfoy took his wand from his robes and toyed with it absent-mindedly. "I have always thought you loyal to the Dark Lord. Do not give me reason to think otherwise. Your allegiance is first and foremost to us. Treachery will not be tolerated." Malfoys wand was now pressed against Snapes throat.
Severus stood as though undisturbed by Malfoy's threat. Lucius lowered his wand slowly. The two men stood almost nose to nose for a few moments.
"Of course. Well good night, Lucius. Unless there's something else you'd like to discuss?" said Snape offhandedly.
"No, that is all. Good night, Severus."
He dissapparated in a soft "pop" leaving Snape alone. His heart pounding. He composed himself. That was close. Thrilling. Adrenaline surged through the potion masters body before he too disappeared into the night.