Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter in any way, shape, or form. All glory to J.K. Rowling and her ideas. I make no profit off of this other than the enjoyment of feedback and the enjoyment of others!
Author's Note: Hello anyone and everyone who is reading this! I am attempting to come out of my fanfiction slump and am trying this idea on for size. Feel free to let me know what you think and if it is worth pursuing. Much love to she-who-must-not-be-named666 as always :) for being my beta and better half.
If You Survive the Storm/ tragicladypirate
Severus Snape awoke slowly as the first clap of thunder sounded. Savoring the fleeting feeling of languid comfort, his eyes fluttered shut once more before he resigned himself to consciousness. The man rose and began to dress gradually, resolute hands smoothing the fabric of his cloak and securing each button. As he prepared himself, Severus listened to the sound of the rain hitting the cobblestones, feeling only the slightest bit of trepidation. He knew this to be no natural storm.
The entire sky appeared engulfed in the dark black vapor of the storm and too-bright lighting cut harshly through the bleak atmosphere. Thunder rumbled vigorously. Even through the tempered glass window Snape could sense the latent static electric charge in the air. With a casualness that stems from years of meticulous cultivation, he calmly poured himself a cognac, clenching the tulip glass with ease.
He retired to the veranda with his glass, sipping it slowly. While most electrical storms inspire warm, humid conditions, this abomination forced Snape to pull his robe about him to brace against the biting cold. He watched with unblinking eyes as a streak of lightning pummeled into his favorite silver birch tree once, twice, then three times. Pressing his fingers to his temple, Snape inwardly steeled his resolve, dreading what he knew anticipated him. Having no choice in the matter, he savored the last of his drink and retreated back inside.
He did not flinch when as his back was turned a voice rose from the darkness of his quarters to greet him. "Hello Severus," it intoned, the last syllable tapping away into a hiss. Without hesitation, Snape turned and kneeled before the figure in black. "My Lord. I awaited your call," he recited.
Pale, elongated fingers were the only visible indication of his visitor, unnaturally bright as they trailed against the dark polished wood of the balustrade. Descending the staircase with formidable poise, the Dark Lord approached his servant.
"Yes," Lord Voldemort said. "Rise…It is quite impossible not to heed my call. I have increased the wind power since last we met. Impressive, isn't it?" he asked, gesturing outside.
Having no doubt of either the Dark Lord's abilities nor his natural propensity towards demonstrating his power, Snape was unsurprised that Lord Voldemort had taken to this new style of transportation. For a man whose regime all but propounded his divinity, it was no great revelation that he would choose to portray himself this way. Harnessing control over the elements was an art all but lost to wizardkind and manipulating them as such required immense stores of Dark magic.
"Most impressive My Lord," Snape conceded, rising from his position on the floor and resuming a deferential stance. "Zeus and Thor themselves could affect no better." A wry smirk distorted Voldemort's pallid face. Much accustomed to such ambiguous comments from Snape, the black hooded wizard changed the subject. "Dear dependable Severus. It seems I am in need of your services once again."
"As much as I know you would relish a social call…" he said pointedly, allowing Snape to absorb his own brand of sarcasm, "This matter is of the greatest importance. It is a job that I believe you will find…" he paused, as if searching for the correct word, "…most interesting." Snape tightened his hold on his impassive expression. Whatever task his master classified as 'interesting' certainly would not bode well for his well-being…or his sanity.
"Your involvement will be instrumental in the execution of my plans. You are the only servant I trust is capable of performing this function." Noting Severus's subtle apprehension, Lord Voldemort continued enjoying the other man's concealed discomfort. "I wish you to make your way back into the inner sanctum of the Order."
Snape immediately opened his mouth to retort and was stilled as Voldemort gestured that he wished to continue. "I know that you have been somewhat ostracized since the death of Dumbledore. The old fool should have known it was his influence alone that led the others to trust you," Voldemort continued, eyes bright, "But because they do not seek you outright and accuse you of retaining your allegiance to me, I know it is possible."
"Somewhat ostracized?" Snape echoed in obvious disbelief. "You are more than well aware that after his death The Order headquarters was relocated and the new whereabouts were blatantly not conveyed to me. Forgive me My Lord…but there are many that have been suspicious of my intentions from the beginning," Snape responded coldly, "You expect me to be welcomed back into their fold so easily?" he asked, slight skepticism slipping into his tones.
"Ahhh but Severus," Lord Voldemort chided, stepping closer Snape, "anything is possible with the right tools. All things are obtainable…you simply need the key."
"The key?" Snape asked, arching an eyebrow. "Sirius Black," Voldemort hissed.
Hearing the name Snape blanched, the vein in his temple standing out noticeably. "What about Black?" he bristled. Eyeing his companion the Dark Lord laughed outright. The hatred radiating off of the Potions Master was almost palpable. Nothing pleased him more than to exploit a well-guarded weakness.
"He is the key," Voldemort continued. "Harry Potter," he spat, "and his asinine Order lackeys continue to gallivant around on their Horcrux fool's errand, trying to destroy me. They are consumed by it. You can use this opportunity to worm your way closer to Black and through him back into the circle of trust."
"That's despicable!" Snape rumbled, demure attitude all but forgotten. "What makes you think I would be willing to do this?" Voldemort did not dignify that with a response. "I'd rather die than make nice with that mangy—"
Unfortunately, his next words were silenced as Voldemort used Imperio to bring a distracted Snape to his knees. The Dark Lord was not a man possessing bodily dominance, nor was he an imposing physical specimen. He was however extremely agile and exceptionally cruel.
Grabbing him by the jaw, Voldemort delivered a sharp blow to the man's face. The resulting crack resounded loudly throughout the room as it reverberated off the walls. Snape had only seconds to recognize the metallic taste filling his mouth before he felt the slender hand surround his throat. Tilting Snape's head so that his coal black eyes met with his own livid scarlet ones the Dark Lord spoke. "You forget with whom you speak. I make it my personal business to convey that there are fates much worse than death."
"Such as?" Snape croaked, contemplating whether spitting blood on the Dark Lord's cloak was a punishable offense. "Do not tempt me," Voldemort taunted, swirling his wand nonchalantly between two fingers of his unoccupied hand. To emphasize his point the acoustic roar of the thunder flared along with his red eyes, as the unnaturally long digits around Snape's windpipe tightened respectably.
Snape gritted his teeth and promptly lowered his forehead to the hem of Voldemort's robe. His wordless assent radiated anger, but also a resigned subservience. Releasing his hold, Voldemort smiled…as much as a lipless creature can smile. "I believe I have my answer then."
"Allow me to elaborate," Lord Voldemort began. "Since the headquarters have been relocated my informants tell me Sirius Black is currently residing at Hogwarts. Although Hogwarts is not in session the wards will allow you through, Severus. Once there, you are to find Black. Kept away from the limelight, reduced to hiding as a fugitive….You can exploit his loneliness and his Gryffindor-like need to feel involved and gain his confidence."
"Master I do not—"
"Gain knowledge through him and use it against them," the Dark Lord continued harshly, his unearthly eyes gleaming, "Discover the new location of the Order and of Harry Potter and you will be rewarded…And once I have killed the boy and Black is no longer needed, you too may know the pleasure of destroying your enemy. Do you understand?"
As Snape pictured Sirius Black in his mind a hateful lump began to form in his throat. Gradually accepting the hand offered to him, Snape rose to his feet. Returning his eyes to his master, Snape smiled in turn and as he smiled, there was a film of blood and inherent madness in the grin. "Your will be done My Lord," he pledged, "your will be done."