Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter, nor am I making any money off this story. I'm just borrowing them from J.K. Rowling. ;-)

By the way, this story was inspired by "A nightmare on elm street" xD. Enjoy!

Chapter 1:

Severus Snape hated being indebted to anyone, but the mere thought of being indebted to Sirius Black made him sick. Not that he needed this particular thought to make him look as if he had been swallowed by a blast-ended screwed. No, he had to thank Voldemort for that. During the last three weeks he had been through hell, and now he was about to offer his throat to the mutt, who had made sure that even the time before he joined the ranks of the death eaters was hell as well. Contemplating whether to knock or just run as far as his feet would carry him pictures of the past month began to appear before his inner eye, making him shudder with fear and regret.

Flashback

The summon came as no surprise, but the fact that Severus had been expecting it didn't make it any less unpleasant. What made it even more so, was the fact that he had been sent away on order business and hadn't answered the last couple of summons under the pretense of being sent on a much needed holiday on Dumbledores orders. At least that's what Dumbledore had told the parents in order to keep them from asking further unwanted questions and Lucius, of that Severus was sure, must have told the Dark Lord. Anticipating an unpleasant evening he left a note for Dumbledore, letting him know that he had been summoned and made his way to the edge of the Hogwarts grounds, disapparating to Riddle manor, the place where the Dark Lord stayed hidden these days.

As he arrived in the entrance hall, he heard nothing of the usual shatter coming from the dining room, where the meetings usually took place, and as he stepped in he found out why. The scenario he was presented with differed a lot from the one he had anticipated. Voldemort was the only one present, standing at the window with his back to Severus, seemingly deeply absorbed in thought. It made an odd picture, seeing the Dark Lord so inattentive and for a moment Severus couldn't help but think that he should make use of the situation and attack. At the same time he knew that he didn't stand a chance.

"My Lord? You summoned me?", Severus hesitantly made his presence known. Voldemort turned around instantly, his face an unreadable mask.

"Ah, Severus, what a pleasant surprise!" he drawled leaning on the windowsill, "Such a long absence from our circle." Severus made his way across the room, kneeling in front of him.

"My Lord I apologize, but as I'm sure you have heard Dumbledore the meddling old fool forced me to take some time off. He feared I had been 'overexerting' myself and made me stay at his manor in order to recover from 'my teaching duties'." The dark Lords eyes narrowed ever so slightly and Severus quickly added, "If I had a guess I would say he was merely trying to keep me away from Karkaroff. After your return he has been trying to get a position at Hogwarts under Dumbledore's protection. He fears you, my Lord. He would be a fool not to. Dumbledore probably just wanted to spare me the stress of dealing with him. I ensure you that I would have come sooner, if it had been possible at all. I very much anticipated our next meeting."

"Is that so?", Voldemort raised his eyebrows.

"Of course, my Lord. I also brought you the potion you requested.", Snape reached into a pocket on the inner side of his robes and lowered his gaze as he offered the potion to Voldemort, who took it from him without comment. Holding the potion in his hands he just surveyed Snape curiously. Snape knew immediately that something was wrong but did not dare to comment on it. Maybe, Voldemort would just let it pass. But he wasn't so lucky.

"Tell me Severus, how long have you been in my service?"

Confused Severus answered, "I believe it's been 20 years since you recruited me, my Lord. Why do you ask?", he had a horrible suspicion, but tried not to let his nervousness show.

"My dear Severus.", Voldemort began, his voice so unlike Dumbledores cold and devoid of emotion, "You misunderstand my question. I'm asking how long you were a death eater. How long have you been loyal before you turned on me?"

"My Lord?", Snape asked, trying to hide his fear behind a mask of indifference.

"Your game is over Severus. I know that you have betrayed me. I know where your true loyalties lie."

Red eyes bore into his. So that was it. As much as he had feared this moment he couldn't help but feel relief wash over him. He knew he had done everything he could to help Lily's son and felt for the first time redeemed. Giving his life for her son was just the final act. But still, he couldn't chance that Voldemort was bluffing, maybe he just wanted to test him, "I don't understand. You're the only one I serve. Dumbledore is the fool. He..."

"Silence!", he was cut off by Voldemort, "I'm tired of your lies. I know that it's you who betrayed me. A couple of weeks ago, I sent McNair to recruit the vampires in east Transilvania. Apparently he wasn't the only one trying to win them for their cause.", realization dawned on Snape and it must have shown because he continued, "I see you remember. Yes, he saw you negotiating with them on Dumbledores behalf. I should have been more suspicious of you, but no matter. No matter.", he repeated barely audible and moved away from the window towards the door, blocking the only exit, "Expelliarmus!", Severus wand flew out of his pocket into Voldemort's outstretched hand, "You betrayed me and I will deal with you accordingly. But first, I'd like to know why.", he looked at Snape intently, "You are a skillful potions master and I always valued your opinion above all others. I took you in when nobody else would. I even turned a blind eye on your unfortunate heritage. You belonged to my inner circle. Why throw all that away?", his last words though spat in disgust were barely audible and for a moment he almost looked like he cared, but Severus knew better. He was doomed and it didn't matter how long he protested his innocence.

"Are you really so blind? You're right, my heritage was unfortunate. Neither my good for nothing muggle father nor my mother cared much about me. But there was one person, who did care and you killed her. That should answer your question. You killed Lily although I begged you not to! That's when I realized what you really were and what I had done! That's when I turned on you!", Snape's voice was trembling with rage.

Voldemort had the audacity to laugh.

"It saddens me to hear that love has made you weak, Severus.", he mocked him, "Back then, I thought it was lust, mistaken for love. You knew that Dumbledore couldn't bring her back.", a vicious smile appeared on his lips.

"All I ever wanted was vengeance, my Lord.", it was Severus time to mock, "And that I got."

"Vengeance, you say? Well, you failed to harm me or my position in any way. I'm in control of the ministry after all. The couple of times you helped the boy escape don't matter either. I will kill him. Soon.", Voldemort paused.

Severus tried to appear calm, but his heart was racing.

"Well, then there is nothing left to say. You have all the proof you need."

Severus almost flinched at what he knew was inevitable. He would die tonight. He would be tortured to death. Maybe if he would run...there were no deatheaters around after all.

That's when the bodybinding spell hit him.

"Naturally as I'm sure you understand I can't just let you go. However, I'm feeling generous tonight. I won't kill you immediately." Severus last hopes shattered. "I will find you a new purpose, very soon. But until that day remember that whatever may be done to you is a consequence of the love you felt for your dear friend." The dark lords' last words were dripping with sarcasm. He looked delighted at the prospect of torture. "Crucio"

...tbc

I promise there will be more of Sirius in the next Chapter!