Story was inspired by a typo.

Rather than typing 'He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named', I accidentally typed 'She-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named'.

And then, of course, came a tidal wave of ideas.

Summary: Voldemort finally realizes how dangerously close he is to being defeated, so he tells his best Death Eater, Severus, to bring him a student worthy of the title 'She-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named'.

Author: gracekathrynm537

Beta: All mistakes are my own.

Days for updates: I don't write on a schedule.

Severus Snape was sitting in his favorite chair with a glass of pumpkin juice and a divine book when he felt the familiar burning on his left forearm.

Shit.

Immediately, he got up, fetched his robes and his Death-Eater mask, and applied both to his burning body hastily – the faster he got there, the faster the burning stopped. After he deemed he looked to the likings of the Dark Lord, he drew the silky fabric of his favorite robe back from his searing, white hot arm, revealing the Mark, and put his right forefinger to it. He then felt the familiar tug behind his navel, and he was apparated into the Malfoy Manor's sitting room.

He was the last to arrive, he noted with an internal frown, as emotional displays were highly discouraged here, and as he hastily bowed low as the others had, Voldemort rose from the chair he had been perched in and bowed gently back to us. Only after he had risen from his gesture were we allowed to do the same. It was our polite way of greeting.

"Hello, my dear friends," The Dark Lord said cheerfully. "Good evening!"

"Good evening, master." We chorused in synchronization.

He nodded at us once, then his expression abruptly hardened into one of seriousness. He sat down and pondered something for a long time.

Then, he glanced at us as if he had just now remembered we were there.

He cleared his throat.

"It has recently dawned on me," He began slowly, "That, all my life, I have worked alone. Yes, yes, I have had servants, minions and the likes, but I have never had a true partner. Someone who is in a … position of authority that is equal to my own. An… accomplice, of sorts.

"Of course, I have always seen it to be much more efficient, working alone," He mused, "Once upon a time when I had foolishly believed that I was invincible; that no one could do what I could do."

"But, my Lord, no one can – you ARE invincible!" Wormtail exclaimed gleefully, then covered his mouth with his hands, realizing that he'd spoken out of turn. I rolled my eyes.

Insufferable prat.

The Dark Lord laughed, to our intense surprise. Remarks like this usually were rewarded with a proper beating, or a simple Crucio. "Ah, Wormtail, thank you for your daft ignorance. I had believed the same, for a long time. Though, I have been led to believe otherwise, and I have seen the truth. My plan grows weak."

He took a deep breath to steady himself, as if this fact was a tragedy. Indeed, to him, it probably was.

"The reason that I have summoned you here today, my friends, is because I fear that the Old Man has discovered my secret, and no doubt, shared it with the Golden Trio. And, if he has done as I suspect, we are…we are vulnerable to the Light."

He let this sink in for a moment before continuing in a solemn tone.

"I am not normally in a position to enjoy admitting failure, or admitting that I have made a mistake. But the plan that I believed infallible has now become a surefire path to Hell for us all.

"I am hoping that, if I were to acquire a partner, one of power and wit and strength, that we may be able to construct another plan to keep me immortal, and, of course, her as well."

Bella squealed. She obviously thought he was going to make her his new partner, but the expression on his face immediately denied that.

How strange. We didn't have any more female Death Eaters. Who-

"Severus," The Dark Lord called, interrupting Severus' train of thought.

He removed removed his mask and knelt before Voldemort. "Yes, my lord?"

"I want you to bring me my partner. Bring me the one worthy of the title 'She-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named'."

He paused for dramatic effect.

"Bring me the heart of the Golden Trio, Severus.

"Bring me Hermione Granger."