Disclaimer: I don't own anything here you recognize. They all belong to JK
Rowling. I'm just a broke high school student, there is no reason to sue me
:O)
Prologue
It was happing, despite how much he tried to tell himself to the contrary it was happening and it could not be stopped. The Dark Lord had returned and beckoned his followers to him. They had killed. The years of horror that the Death Eaters had unleashed on the wizarding world so many years ago were about to come again, only this time it would be worse. They had been kept in the dark for so long, scattered and only whispers of a false hope kept them watchful that one day they would return to power. Yet those whispers turned true, as their marks had burned black that night.
They would go to him, however hesitantly they did it, they would go to him and find Voldemort reborn in all his horrible brilliance and dark glory. All his followers back within his circle ready to sweep across the world like a plague and announce their rebirth.
And they would. He could see the devastation their return would bring as he listened to the Potter boy's ramblings. He could see the countless murders, tortures, and various despicable acts. He could envision the dark mark hanging ominously in the air over a ruined household. But what angered him the most was the look he saw on Fudge's face. The look of disbelief, of horror. He did not want to think it true, and he was not going to believe it.
"Severus, you know what I must ask you to do. if you are ready...if you are prepared..." those words rang in Severus Snape's ears louder than any bell, any scream, any shocking noise that he had heard in his years. He had always wished that death would come swiftly to him, beckoning him out of his misery, out of his solitude and loneliness. And now, he knew in his heart that his moment had arrived. He would be facing death in the face in a few short moments. It scared him.
In that moment he was terrified beyond his wildest dreams. He did not consider himself brave like James Potter who had died in vain, for the mere chance that some god somewhere would take mercy on his wife and son. He was not brave like Remus Lupin who faced the discrimination, hate, and fear of society with a smile on his face. He wasn't even brave like that slimy Sirius Black that spent twelve years rotting away for a crime he did not commit. He had spent one week in Azkaban and it had consumed him. He was not as brave as his enemies, which were now his allies in the fight against the butchers of wizarding society.
The color drained out of his face as he considered what the Headmaster was asking him to do. He could feel his insides twisting into a knot at his middle and squeezing. A sudden cold swept over his body, the cold feeling of pure dread hit him but he nodded and choked out, "I am," and followed after the eager Sirius Black.
And now here he was in front of his closet, pulling out the mahogany trunk which he had kept tucked back in the shadows for so long. Tucked back with his memories and souvenirs of his violent past. He stepped back and stared for a moment, at that dust-covered chest and what it represented. With a steady hand he undid the lock and pushed back the top, letting it fall to the floor of his room with a loud bang. A black, hooded cloak lie at the bottom of the trunk, folded neatly and tucked away like the unwanted memory it was. His finger brushed over the faceless black mask that rested on top of it before pulling both the cloak and mask under his arm and leaving the room, his wand held tightly in his other hand.
The wind whipped around his body, sending his robes flying all about him as he stood, gazing up at the castle, which represented his place of safety. His cloak hung around his shoulders and he fumbled with the string around his neck that held the hood in place. When it was secured, he pulled up the hood and reached for his mask that still waited, secured under his arm. The power seemed to ooze from the material as he put it over his face and let out a breath, feeling the warm air hit his face as he moisture clung to his skin. With a wave of his wand he apparated.
~*~
The Riddle Manor loomed in the distance, dilapidated and unkept it served as an all too present reminder of the Dark Lord's distaste for Muggles. He was here. Severus always could tell when Voldemort was near, the air seemed to buzz with certain electricity that almost always resulted in pain and anguish on someone's part. The cemetery was within walking distance and he was not surprised that they had cleared the area so quickly. The Death Eaters were not a stupid lot, they knew there would be investigations after Potter told his story.
But being caught by Aurors was the least of Snape's worries. His presence in Death Eater robes could easily be explained should he be taken. Yet his absence from the meeting circle earlier in the evening was not so easily explained. There would be punishment for his absence...Another wave of fear washed over him as he felt his muscles tighten in anticipation. A cold breeze hit his back, turning his sweat to ice and causing his robes to stick to his back. He rolled his shoulders, trying to dislodge the heavy material from his skin.
A snap of a twig alerted Severus he was not alone and before he could turn his head around the tip of a wand pressed into the small of his back and he froze. "Don't move." came the harsh command from behind him. Severus let out a sigh of relief as he recognized the smooth voice of Lucius Malfoy. "It's me." he said, all too aware of the small tremble in his voice. The pressure from the wand was taken away and he turned to see the dark form of his old friend, clad in Death Eater apparel.
"You are a fool Severus. Our Master is very displeased that you didn't arrive. I fear he has something particularly painful in store for when he finds you. He believes you betrayed him after you pledged your eternal loyalty." Lucius drawled, and to a bystander, the small air of protectiveness that surrounded the statement would have gone unnoticed. But Severus caught it and almost smiled to himself. He had felt the same rush of some unnamed feeling when Potter had told Fudge about seeing Lucius at the Dark Lord's side. Of all the Death Eaters Severus had betrayed in siding with Dumbledore, he only felt bad about Lucius, who had trusted him with his life and vice versa.
"I assure you, my old friend, that my loyalties have not wavered in the slightest. There was mayhem at the castle with Potter and Diggory's disappearance, I couldn't find a moment to apparate without bringing attention.." Severus trailed off and cleared his throat when Malfoy cocked his head to the side and he realized he was rambling. "Where is My Lord now, I have been waiting many years for a joyous reunion." He asked.
"We scattered when Potter left," he spat at the name, "I have no idea where he went to, perhaps to find-" The darkened mask covering his face looked away from his and over Severus' shoulder. "Perhaps to find what reason a Death Eater who had always been loyal should overlook the fact that I had returned and choose to ignore his master's call?" came the icy, almost bored voice that haunted Snape's sleep. Slowly, he turned and before him stood the darkest wizard to ever set foot upon the earth. Voldemort stood, living and breathing, red eyes narrowed into slits as if he saw right through Severus' valiant and loyal facade and into the heart of a traitor. He was leaning against a headstone, twirling his wand aimlessly between his fingers, his face an unreadable mask.
"My Lord..." Severus started as he kneeled in the wet grass to kissed the hem of Voldemort's robes, leaving his head bowed in respect, but leaving his muscles tightened, awaiting his ultimatum which would come from the mercy of the wizard before him. However, Voldemort took a step back and hissed, "Rise, you have no business touching me you filthy traitor." Slowly Severus stood back up, keeping his back straight as he stared into the face of The Dark Lord who stepped closer, so that their faces were only a few inches apart.
"I do not take well to broken pledges. A wizard is only as good as his word and your word was broken along with your loyalty to me, was it not Severus?" he inquired while rolling up the sleeve to Snape's left arm, exposing the dark mark to the icy night air. "I pledged my eternal loyalty to you my Lord and for all these long years that has remained intact. I have never faltered." It sounded week even to his own ears and he knew hope was lost when Voldemort just smiled and began to circle him like the vulture he was.
"You lie. You lie straight to your Master's face. I regret to do this Severus, but you will serve as an example. Something must serve as an example to my loyal followers, show them what happens when people betray me, when they are no longer worthy to bear the mark..." His blood eyes burned like fire and captivated Snape's black depths as he spoke.
Voldemort dropped his arm and smiled, his eyes scanning him with a mix of joy and malice. Severus felt like some sort of outcast as he stood there, accepting the inevitable. Voldemort would show him no mercy. He stood, chin up, back straight as the Dark Lord reached his hand up and threw back the hood to his cloak, pausing only a second, and then pulling the mask right off his face. Snape's heart seemed to stop beating as he stared at his mask on the ground, face down. The Dark Lord had unmasked him, Severus Snape. He had seen what happens to those poor fools who had the bad luck of crossing Voldemort on a bad day. The unmasking held a symbolic message-That person had betrayed his brothers and sisters and would pay a heavy price.
"The bond we share should not be so easy to throw aside, Severus." he whispered.
Voldemort's wand was at his throat now, lifting his head up and bringing his eyes level with the glowing red flames. "No groveling? I didn't expect any from you, though I would like to say I would have rather liked to her you beg for your life. No matter, soon you will be begging for death.."
There it was-his ultimatum.....He could feel the blood rushing in his ears and his heart seemed to break at the news. It was all in vain! Lucius clearing his throat from behind him broke the uneasy silence of the cemetery. "My Lord...if I may say something?" Voldemort dropped his wand to his side and peered over Severus, surprise shining maniacally in his eyes. "Lucius? You have something to add? I thought you, more than anyone else loves to see traitors get what they deserve."
"Indeed I do my Lord. But, forgive me I am not second guessing you in any way, but I do believe that had Severus been alone, he would have come." When he received nothing more than a raised brow as a response he continued. "As a mayor of the school, I know that when something goes wrong the staff are immediately called together and I doubt there was any way Severus could have gotten away from them without raising much suspicion. The fact that he is here now, knowing that you would be displeased proves in my mind, his loyalties."
Severus had never been so happy to hear anything in his life! If a member of Voldemort's own inner circle was vouching for him, perhaps he would be able to serve his purpose in this inevitable war on the horizon. But then he began to fear that Lucius had just signed his own death certificate along with his own when Voldemort stood in front of the other wizard silently, staring into his eyes and waiting for Lucius to back down from him.
But Lucius was smart, he did not look him in the eyes to show defiance, nor did he take back what he said. He just stood, head bowed and waiting for Voldemort's decree. "You give him your full confidence, do you?" he asked. At this Lucius nodded and raised his eyes to The Dark Lord's to show his sincerity. Voldemort pursed his lips and nodded. "Very well Lucius, you may leave now." he said, turning back to Severus. With a small pop he was gone and he was left alone with a Dark Lord that obviously had something up his sleeve.
"Apparently he deems you trust worthy, and I am willing to take a chance. But mark my words Severus. If I /ever/ have reason to believe that I do not have your full loyalty, you had better hope that old fool you play lap dog too sees to your safety, for you will curse the day I find you. Now leave." he hissed, turning his back to him.
The knot that had been building in Severus' chest suddenly collapsed and he felt lightheaded once more. Not with the heavy sinking feeling of dread, but with the light airy feeling of pure luck. He quickly diapparated before Voldemort had a chance to change his mind.
~*~
The bright shining faces and mirthful chatter were gone from the Great Hall during the last feast of the school year. All across the four tables the student's faces were either a sullen mask of tears and sadness or genuine confusion. Small, quiet conversations were mixed together into a dull roar as students sat at the tables, some for their last year. Severus watched every face and read every emotion from his seat at the High Table- Sadness from the Hufflepuffs, confusion from the Ravenclaws, unease from the Gryffindors, and arrogance from the Slytherins. Yet the tight jawed Harry Potter's face showed only guilt. Guilt that he had been too slow to save Cedric. His eyes lingered on Harry for a moment as the boy who lived caught his gaze and stared back.
"Yes Potter, your worst fears are realized," he thought as a sneer crossed his face, "Wither the fools in the Ministry will admit it or not there will be a war of enormous casualties. You and the other softhearted Gryffindors will learn of it with your own eyes. There will be betrayal, death, and angst all around and you will feel it all. Innocence will be lost to hatred and cold-hearted malice. If you live to the end Potter, you will never be the same.." And then he looked away.
A/N: Hey :O) I hope you liked it! I got sick of all the Sev and Lucius secret hatred fics out there because I personally don't think that's what their relationship is like. Well Leave me some reviews and I'll love you forever!!
Prologue
It was happing, despite how much he tried to tell himself to the contrary it was happening and it could not be stopped. The Dark Lord had returned and beckoned his followers to him. They had killed. The years of horror that the Death Eaters had unleashed on the wizarding world so many years ago were about to come again, only this time it would be worse. They had been kept in the dark for so long, scattered and only whispers of a false hope kept them watchful that one day they would return to power. Yet those whispers turned true, as their marks had burned black that night.
They would go to him, however hesitantly they did it, they would go to him and find Voldemort reborn in all his horrible brilliance and dark glory. All his followers back within his circle ready to sweep across the world like a plague and announce their rebirth.
And they would. He could see the devastation their return would bring as he listened to the Potter boy's ramblings. He could see the countless murders, tortures, and various despicable acts. He could envision the dark mark hanging ominously in the air over a ruined household. But what angered him the most was the look he saw on Fudge's face. The look of disbelief, of horror. He did not want to think it true, and he was not going to believe it.
"Severus, you know what I must ask you to do. if you are ready...if you are prepared..." those words rang in Severus Snape's ears louder than any bell, any scream, any shocking noise that he had heard in his years. He had always wished that death would come swiftly to him, beckoning him out of his misery, out of his solitude and loneliness. And now, he knew in his heart that his moment had arrived. He would be facing death in the face in a few short moments. It scared him.
In that moment he was terrified beyond his wildest dreams. He did not consider himself brave like James Potter who had died in vain, for the mere chance that some god somewhere would take mercy on his wife and son. He was not brave like Remus Lupin who faced the discrimination, hate, and fear of society with a smile on his face. He wasn't even brave like that slimy Sirius Black that spent twelve years rotting away for a crime he did not commit. He had spent one week in Azkaban and it had consumed him. He was not as brave as his enemies, which were now his allies in the fight against the butchers of wizarding society.
The color drained out of his face as he considered what the Headmaster was asking him to do. He could feel his insides twisting into a knot at his middle and squeezing. A sudden cold swept over his body, the cold feeling of pure dread hit him but he nodded and choked out, "I am," and followed after the eager Sirius Black.
And now here he was in front of his closet, pulling out the mahogany trunk which he had kept tucked back in the shadows for so long. Tucked back with his memories and souvenirs of his violent past. He stepped back and stared for a moment, at that dust-covered chest and what it represented. With a steady hand he undid the lock and pushed back the top, letting it fall to the floor of his room with a loud bang. A black, hooded cloak lie at the bottom of the trunk, folded neatly and tucked away like the unwanted memory it was. His finger brushed over the faceless black mask that rested on top of it before pulling both the cloak and mask under his arm and leaving the room, his wand held tightly in his other hand.
The wind whipped around his body, sending his robes flying all about him as he stood, gazing up at the castle, which represented his place of safety. His cloak hung around his shoulders and he fumbled with the string around his neck that held the hood in place. When it was secured, he pulled up the hood and reached for his mask that still waited, secured under his arm. The power seemed to ooze from the material as he put it over his face and let out a breath, feeling the warm air hit his face as he moisture clung to his skin. With a wave of his wand he apparated.
~*~
The Riddle Manor loomed in the distance, dilapidated and unkept it served as an all too present reminder of the Dark Lord's distaste for Muggles. He was here. Severus always could tell when Voldemort was near, the air seemed to buzz with certain electricity that almost always resulted in pain and anguish on someone's part. The cemetery was within walking distance and he was not surprised that they had cleared the area so quickly. The Death Eaters were not a stupid lot, they knew there would be investigations after Potter told his story.
But being caught by Aurors was the least of Snape's worries. His presence in Death Eater robes could easily be explained should he be taken. Yet his absence from the meeting circle earlier in the evening was not so easily explained. There would be punishment for his absence...Another wave of fear washed over him as he felt his muscles tighten in anticipation. A cold breeze hit his back, turning his sweat to ice and causing his robes to stick to his back. He rolled his shoulders, trying to dislodge the heavy material from his skin.
A snap of a twig alerted Severus he was not alone and before he could turn his head around the tip of a wand pressed into the small of his back and he froze. "Don't move." came the harsh command from behind him. Severus let out a sigh of relief as he recognized the smooth voice of Lucius Malfoy. "It's me." he said, all too aware of the small tremble in his voice. The pressure from the wand was taken away and he turned to see the dark form of his old friend, clad in Death Eater apparel.
"You are a fool Severus. Our Master is very displeased that you didn't arrive. I fear he has something particularly painful in store for when he finds you. He believes you betrayed him after you pledged your eternal loyalty." Lucius drawled, and to a bystander, the small air of protectiveness that surrounded the statement would have gone unnoticed. But Severus caught it and almost smiled to himself. He had felt the same rush of some unnamed feeling when Potter had told Fudge about seeing Lucius at the Dark Lord's side. Of all the Death Eaters Severus had betrayed in siding with Dumbledore, he only felt bad about Lucius, who had trusted him with his life and vice versa.
"I assure you, my old friend, that my loyalties have not wavered in the slightest. There was mayhem at the castle with Potter and Diggory's disappearance, I couldn't find a moment to apparate without bringing attention.." Severus trailed off and cleared his throat when Malfoy cocked his head to the side and he realized he was rambling. "Where is My Lord now, I have been waiting many years for a joyous reunion." He asked.
"We scattered when Potter left," he spat at the name, "I have no idea where he went to, perhaps to find-" The darkened mask covering his face looked away from his and over Severus' shoulder. "Perhaps to find what reason a Death Eater who had always been loyal should overlook the fact that I had returned and choose to ignore his master's call?" came the icy, almost bored voice that haunted Snape's sleep. Slowly, he turned and before him stood the darkest wizard to ever set foot upon the earth. Voldemort stood, living and breathing, red eyes narrowed into slits as if he saw right through Severus' valiant and loyal facade and into the heart of a traitor. He was leaning against a headstone, twirling his wand aimlessly between his fingers, his face an unreadable mask.
"My Lord..." Severus started as he kneeled in the wet grass to kissed the hem of Voldemort's robes, leaving his head bowed in respect, but leaving his muscles tightened, awaiting his ultimatum which would come from the mercy of the wizard before him. However, Voldemort took a step back and hissed, "Rise, you have no business touching me you filthy traitor." Slowly Severus stood back up, keeping his back straight as he stared into the face of The Dark Lord who stepped closer, so that their faces were only a few inches apart.
"I do not take well to broken pledges. A wizard is only as good as his word and your word was broken along with your loyalty to me, was it not Severus?" he inquired while rolling up the sleeve to Snape's left arm, exposing the dark mark to the icy night air. "I pledged my eternal loyalty to you my Lord and for all these long years that has remained intact. I have never faltered." It sounded week even to his own ears and he knew hope was lost when Voldemort just smiled and began to circle him like the vulture he was.
"You lie. You lie straight to your Master's face. I regret to do this Severus, but you will serve as an example. Something must serve as an example to my loyal followers, show them what happens when people betray me, when they are no longer worthy to bear the mark..." His blood eyes burned like fire and captivated Snape's black depths as he spoke.
Voldemort dropped his arm and smiled, his eyes scanning him with a mix of joy and malice. Severus felt like some sort of outcast as he stood there, accepting the inevitable. Voldemort would show him no mercy. He stood, chin up, back straight as the Dark Lord reached his hand up and threw back the hood to his cloak, pausing only a second, and then pulling the mask right off his face. Snape's heart seemed to stop beating as he stared at his mask on the ground, face down. The Dark Lord had unmasked him, Severus Snape. He had seen what happens to those poor fools who had the bad luck of crossing Voldemort on a bad day. The unmasking held a symbolic message-That person had betrayed his brothers and sisters and would pay a heavy price.
"The bond we share should not be so easy to throw aside, Severus." he whispered.
Voldemort's wand was at his throat now, lifting his head up and bringing his eyes level with the glowing red flames. "No groveling? I didn't expect any from you, though I would like to say I would have rather liked to her you beg for your life. No matter, soon you will be begging for death.."
There it was-his ultimatum.....He could feel the blood rushing in his ears and his heart seemed to break at the news. It was all in vain! Lucius clearing his throat from behind him broke the uneasy silence of the cemetery. "My Lord...if I may say something?" Voldemort dropped his wand to his side and peered over Severus, surprise shining maniacally in his eyes. "Lucius? You have something to add? I thought you, more than anyone else loves to see traitors get what they deserve."
"Indeed I do my Lord. But, forgive me I am not second guessing you in any way, but I do believe that had Severus been alone, he would have come." When he received nothing more than a raised brow as a response he continued. "As a mayor of the school, I know that when something goes wrong the staff are immediately called together and I doubt there was any way Severus could have gotten away from them without raising much suspicion. The fact that he is here now, knowing that you would be displeased proves in my mind, his loyalties."
Severus had never been so happy to hear anything in his life! If a member of Voldemort's own inner circle was vouching for him, perhaps he would be able to serve his purpose in this inevitable war on the horizon. But then he began to fear that Lucius had just signed his own death certificate along with his own when Voldemort stood in front of the other wizard silently, staring into his eyes and waiting for Lucius to back down from him.
But Lucius was smart, he did not look him in the eyes to show defiance, nor did he take back what he said. He just stood, head bowed and waiting for Voldemort's decree. "You give him your full confidence, do you?" he asked. At this Lucius nodded and raised his eyes to The Dark Lord's to show his sincerity. Voldemort pursed his lips and nodded. "Very well Lucius, you may leave now." he said, turning back to Severus. With a small pop he was gone and he was left alone with a Dark Lord that obviously had something up his sleeve.
"Apparently he deems you trust worthy, and I am willing to take a chance. But mark my words Severus. If I /ever/ have reason to believe that I do not have your full loyalty, you had better hope that old fool you play lap dog too sees to your safety, for you will curse the day I find you. Now leave." he hissed, turning his back to him.
The knot that had been building in Severus' chest suddenly collapsed and he felt lightheaded once more. Not with the heavy sinking feeling of dread, but with the light airy feeling of pure luck. He quickly diapparated before Voldemort had a chance to change his mind.
~*~
The bright shining faces and mirthful chatter were gone from the Great Hall during the last feast of the school year. All across the four tables the student's faces were either a sullen mask of tears and sadness or genuine confusion. Small, quiet conversations were mixed together into a dull roar as students sat at the tables, some for their last year. Severus watched every face and read every emotion from his seat at the High Table- Sadness from the Hufflepuffs, confusion from the Ravenclaws, unease from the Gryffindors, and arrogance from the Slytherins. Yet the tight jawed Harry Potter's face showed only guilt. Guilt that he had been too slow to save Cedric. His eyes lingered on Harry for a moment as the boy who lived caught his gaze and stared back.
"Yes Potter, your worst fears are realized," he thought as a sneer crossed his face, "Wither the fools in the Ministry will admit it or not there will be a war of enormous casualties. You and the other softhearted Gryffindors will learn of it with your own eyes. There will be betrayal, death, and angst all around and you will feel it all. Innocence will be lost to hatred and cold-hearted malice. If you live to the end Potter, you will never be the same.." And then he looked away.
A/N: Hey :O) I hope you liked it! I got sick of all the Sev and Lucius secret hatred fics out there because I personally don't think that's what their relationship is like. Well Leave me some reviews and I'll love you forever!!
