Disclaimer: This is based on the J.K. Rowling's World of Harry Potter. Everything you recognize belongs to her.

The man had been kneeling for a long time. Inwardly his leg was aching and starting to twitch but outwardly he showed no sign of distress. The Dark Lord did not like to see distress. Distress was a sign of weakness unless of course he was causing it for his own amusement or purpose. He also did not appreciate emotion in his company unless it was anger and loathing particularly directed at muggles, mudbloods, Albus Dumbledore and Harry Potter. . . especially Harry Potter.

The man kept his breathing even, his mind as blank as his face which he cast toward the ground. His master did not seem inclined to invade his mind with those red slits at the moment, but relaxing his thoughts for even a second could be the difference between life and death especially considering how insecure his position was at the moment. "Constant Vigilance!" A fraction of a grimace flashed across his face as Mad-Eye's voice barked in his mind but was quickly shoved behind a wall of nothingness.

"So Severus, what news do you have to report."

"Nothing of substance, My Lord. Dumbledore continues to recruit for the Order of the Phoenix. McGonagall, naturally, has returned as well as Alastor Moody. He's meeting resistance from Fudge and his followers, who refuse to believe in your return. Like you, he is looking for new eyes and ears within the Ministry."

A low hiss of disapproval sailed over his head. "This is not news, Snape. We've known this for over a month. What about Harry Potter? The wards are still strong at his aunt's house?"

Snape outwardly cringed. He knew the Dark Lord would not be happy with what came next. "As strong as ever, My Lord; however, Potter has already been moved from there. A contingent of the Order removed him three days ago and he is currently residing at the headquarters for the Order of the Phoenix."

"What! Why didn't you inform me of this!"

"My deepest apologies, My Lord. This information was not confided to me until after the fact. I glimpsed him there as a meeting end. . . ." The pain came before he could finish his sentence. Even when he knew the Cruciatus curse was coming, the shock still coursed through his body. White-hot nails drove into every inch of his skin, down to his core. Only due to years of training was he able to keep the blank wall as the Dark Lord checked his story with little regard to how he carved through his servant's brain with a legilimency machete.

"You know that I cannot get to him at his home, Dumbledore's blood wards ensured that. The Fidelius Charm protects him now and I cannot yet attack Hogwarts. Now a new plan must be made. I want that boy and I want him now!" A second wave of the pain coursed through his body. . . a fews seconds or a few minutes, Severus did not know. He just hoped his body could survive the punishment. Eventually, Voldemort's wave of anger passed and he began to pace in front of the prone and trembling figure. "Severus, when I returned to my body. I forgave you. I forgave you for never searching for me. I forgave you for thwarting me when I tried for the Philosopher's Stone. I forgave you for having a warm, comfortable life while I barely existed in a state worse than death. I forgave you for being my mortal enemy's stooge for 13 years because it was supposed to bring me information. However, that information has not been as forthcoming as I would like. I need Harry Potter and I am starting to question if you are actually dedicated to that goal."

"My Lord, you know I only serve you. Whatever you need, I will endeavor to. . . "

Voldemort cut him off. "What I need from you, Severus, is your absolute loyalty."

"You have it. Everything I do, everything you ask, my life is yours," Severus gasped as he tried to raise his body from cold floor.

"Do I, Severus? I have heard a lot words from you but very little action."

Severus winced, wondering what the Dark Lord would demand of him to prove his loyalty. He managed to pull himself to a sitting position and bowed his head. His legs were too weak to kneel and hoped this would not anger his master further. "Whatever you ask, My Lord."

Voldemort continued his pacing, deep in thought. Finally, he paused in front of the fallen man, sneering down at him. "You will continue to play your role with the old man and I expect more pertinent information, but I also want proof that you are dedicated to my long-term goals."

Severus glanced up with a questioning look on his face. "Sir?"

"After Potter is dead and I am in control of the Ministry, I will push my power further-controlling magic and muggle. What can you do to help with that goal?" Severus was a loss for words. Not sure exactly what the Dark Lord wanted, he kept silent and Voldemort continued. "You are supposed to be the brightest potioneer of your generation. What can you create to help me on my way to glory? Figure it out, Severus and decide quickly. You have a lot to prove to me." With a swish of his robes, the Dark Lord left his trembling servant behind.

Several minutes later, Severus had the strength to stand up and limp from the room, trying to come up with a plan.

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"Do you have a plan?" The elderly man inquired, his normally twinkling eyes filled with concern as the younger man sat across from him. "I cannot emphasize enough the importance of you staying in Voldemort's good graces. What about the poison you are working on?"

"It is complete as well as the antidote," conceded Potion Master. "I will wait as long as possible to turn it over. You must distribute the antidote about ten days after symptoms first develop. At that point, the people's condition won't be so far to be irreversible but the Dark Lord, hopefully, won't be suspicious that the antidote was created prior to the poison's distribution."

Dumbledore nodded in approval, "hopefully, that will keep him satisfied."

"Hopefully," conceded Snape, "but I doubt it. He wants a long-range plan. He hinted toward something to help him control the muggle world when the time comes."

Dumbledore theorized, "and you have a plan for this as well." Snape shot him an incredulous look. How did that man always seem to know everything? The Headmaster smiled, "Severus, I have known you for a long time. You always have a plan. . . and then a back-up plan. I do not recall ever seeing you unprepared. It is one of your strengths that I have come to depend on."

Snape sighed. The old man was right. Sometimes, Albus knew him too well and it made Severus uncomfortable. "Yes, I have a plan but I'm not sure if you will like it. Have you ever heard of Scopolamine?" Severus glanced up to a blank face. He allowed himself a small triumphant smile. It wasn't too often that he understood a concept better than the Headmaster, let alone introduced a new topic to the man although he admitted to himself if it was to happen, it would be in potions. "I'm not surprised. It's a muggle drug commonly used for nausea. However, in large doses, it has an interesting side effect-amnesia which has caught the interest of a young neurochemist in the United States. She believes with certain modifications, it could be used as a mind-influencing drug. Her theories were published in the New England Journal of Medicine and do have some merit. Not only were her ideas fascinating but her methodology intriguing."

"How so?" inquired Dumbledore.

"If I didn't know better, I would say that she has a background in potions. The way she refers to certain plants, the procedures she does, even the way she views how ingredients react together, it is more potion-like than muggle chemistry. Theoretically, I could adapt her ideas to create a potion that would influence the minds of muggles. Dispersed strategically, it would make it much easier to control their population. I have enough evidence to convince the Dark Lord of the possibility but the actual development and implementation would take years which gives us more time.

"What about the girl?" Dumbledore didn't waste time. Your muggle-loving tendencies are showing old man, Severus thought.

Severus sighed, "That is why I knew you would be leary of the plan. I really don't think the girl is a concern. I will convince the Dark Lord that I just need her research, not her. Besides, she lives in America and he will never concede to have a muggle working for him no matter how talented she is."

Dumbledore leaned back in his chair and exhaled, "Let's hope you are right, Severus. Even the best laid plans of mice and men can go awry."1

Severus nodded in agreement. He prayed the same thing because, although he didn't want to admit it to the headmaster, he didn't have a back-up plan. If Voldemort wanted to use the girl, there wasn't much Severus could do to prevent her death.

1- "The best laid plans of mice and men is an adaption of a line from "To a Mouse" by Robert Burns

Thank you all for reading. This is my first attempt at fanfiction and I appreciate any feedback, both positive and constructive.