A/N: Hi my fellow readers! So glad you decided to check out this small story of mine! Well, actually, that's a lie. 'Cause this isn't just my story. After quite a while of planning, laughing, procrastinating and emailing, my BFF and I have finally gotten to co-author this story together! I'm pretty sure that this is the first time we've both ever done this on such a large scale, so please excuse us if things are bit unorganized. Just a small warning, since the writer of each chapter is going to be alternated between to the two us, the time between each update is most likely going to be quite long. Just thought I should let you know! But either way, we hope you enjoy it!:)
As always, we would love reviews! Constructive criticism is welcome and flamers shall be used to roast Marshmellows. :P
Other than that, I think we've got most of the main points. So, here is the first chapter of HP&S! We'll see you at the end of the chapter! Hope you enjoy! :)
-Ten and Three
Disclaimer: According to the laws of the Wizarding Copyright Act, neither my BFF nor I own any themes, characters or ideas taken from the original Harry Potter series. Yes, I know it sucks, but hey, it's the law! Do we look like J.K. Rowling to you!? *grumbles* Stupid law and readers, not allowing us to own Harry Potter. :/
Harry: Just to let you know, I own no rights to any of this, and-
Snape: Mr. Potter. What are you doing out of class?
Harry: Oh, just telling everyone about how I don't own anything.
Snape:...A month's detention.
Harry:...
Snape:...
Harry: SECTUMSEMPRA! *runs away*
Footsteps echoed through a dreary hallway, the sound bouncing off the grey, stone walls. Torches lit with green flames was the only illumination for the owner of those steps- a tall, hooked nose and greasy man. His dark eyes peered into the dimness of the hallway, black robes flowing behind him as he walked. The drip of water down the brick walls and the scuttling of mice accompanied his heavy footsteps, but that was lost to him as he submerged himself in his thoughts.
It was not uncommon to find Severus Snape wandering through the dreary hallways beneath Malfoy Manor; however, it was indeed very rare to see him so unfocused. Always alert, always watching, always ready for everything, no matter how unpredictable or unsettling. The reason he was the most trusted of the Dark Lord's followers. And yet, here he was, drifting around in his mind. To any who saw him now would cause a great shock, if not be a little unnerving. But Snape did not care, for he had a good reason to be lost in thought. A very good reason.
Summoned by Lord Voldemort himself, to the deepest chamber beneath the manor. A new mission, one to secure his position as leader of the wizarding world. And the only executer of this assignment was Snape.
He was to begin immediately.
All in all, the whole situation befuddled him. It was an urgent matter, one of the utmost importance.
But so little information was given.
Severus just hoped that this meeting with the Dark Lord would be able to shine some light on the subject. There was no possible way he could work solely on what little information he'd been given.
Speaking of light though, Snape began to notice dully that the light in the hall was growing fainter with each step he took. Of course, he was in the older and not so active part of the Manor. No need for light in a place nearly nobody ever used.
Pulling out his wand, he muttered a quick 'Lumos' and proceeded on his way. Soon, he had neared the end of the hall. A large, wooden door stood in his way. It was very old and dilapidated, with small, rusted markings and a door knocker. taking the knocker in his hand, he pounded it a few times, waiting for a signal to enter. No point in entering without permission and possibly angering Lord Voldemort. That might just deprive him of the information he needed.
Severus waited a few moments, listening for that certain voice.
Just as he was about to knock again, he heard it.
"Enter."
The voice was raspy and malicious, the word echoing off the walls and surrounding Snape before seeming to vanish.
The evil however was still there.
Without further ado, Severus pulled the rusted door open and entered, before shutting it with a creek.
He turned to face his master.
There, sitting behind a long table, was Lord Voldemort. His deathly white skin contrasted harshly with his black robes, showing every vein that ran through his body, from the top of his bald head to the bottom of his feet. Red eyes glanced over Snape, seemingly looking right through him. Two slits represented his nose and a vicious, predatory smile spread across his face, showing a nice set of sharp teeth. Torches were set around the small chamber, lit with green flames; their firelight cast dancing shadows across Voldemort, turning him into something even more sinister. It was hard to believe that this... this thing in front of Snape ever used to be human.
Snape slowly walked forward, meeting Voldemort's eyes with his own. As he grew closer, he began to feel the evil intent rolling of his master in waves. Whatever mission he had in mind, it was not good.
"Severus, how nice of you to join me. Sit down, I have much to discuss with you," came Voldemort's crooked voice. It was playful, toying around with Snape like a cat does a mouse.
Obeying his leaders order, Snape pulled a rotting wooden chair out from under the table and sat down. He wondered however, how long his chair would be able to hold him. It wasn't exactly what one would call stable and the creek he gained from the chair when his weight was put upon it didn't cause too much reassurance either.
"Severus."
Voldemort startled Snape back to the present. What was he doing!? Letting his mind wander off to think about chairs of all things! What a disgrace.
Focusing his thoughts back on the situation at hand, Snape replied, "Yes, my lord?"
No matter what, Snape could not afford his thoughts to go astray. Especially not now, when Voldemort was right there. Who knows what the Dark Lord would do to him if he thought his mental ability was beginning to lack.
Pleased with Snape's attention, Voldemort took his wand and conjured an item into the air, before setting it down lightly on the table.
Snape drew his gaze to the item on the table. A golden box, carved with intricate designs and symbols which held no meaning to him was the center of his attention. Rubies and Emeralds lined the edges, going around all the corners and sides. The only visible flaw with this beautiful piece of art was the broken, gold padlock on the front.
Stretching one pale, skeletal hand towards the lid of the box, Voldemort grasped firmly and lifted it.
A dark aura flew out of the box, sweeping through the room and blowing out the torches. A deathly silence fell upon the chamber as black mist seeped out of the box.
Snape felt like he was being suffocated, like he was wading around in a bottomless pit of water with no air and light and surface. All emotions faded out of him, not unlike facing a Dementor, but losing most if not all feeling. He felt empty, numb, cold. Not miserable or depressed. Just...
Hollow.
Small chuckles erupted from the silence. Insane, manic chuckles. Accompanying the hysteria was a hissing noise. Starting off soft, it grew louder and louder until it boomed off the walls.
Drawing his wand, Snape stood and quickly turned to face the hissing noise, casting a Lumos spell as well. Light broke through the dark and once again he was able to see.
He almost wished he couldn't.
Blocking the door (and any viable exit) was a long, black snake. Silver eyes with red pupils shone in the dark as fangs dripping with venom were bared. The acid sizzled once it reached the ground, burning a hole through the thick stone. Blue, glowing markings covered its body, in some foreign script that was most likely dead and forgotten. The being before him was ancient, but powerful. Snape could already feel himself growing weaker beneath its gaze, as if all strength was being leeched away. His mind was contorting; disturbing images flashing through. Blood and screams and tears and death, eons of it, unholy and terrifying.
Dear Merlin, what was this thing!?
"Impressed, Severus?" Voldemort asked from behind him.
"What you see before you is my newest plan. My newest weapon. Those fools in the Order won't stand a chance. I just hope you enjoy this mission as much as I will."
Mission...? Oh, right, the mission. He still didn't know what is was! And what did a millennium year old snake have to do wi-
Oh, no.
Please, dear Merlin, no.
Snape turned to face Voldemort, fearing for the worst. If Merlin or God or any other great being ever existed then please don't let this be true. Don't let this be true.
Fate hated him.
Voldemort was standing, his head laxed and rolling on his shoulder. That mad grin of his was still there, bigger and brighter than before, threatening to split his face in two. Insanity reeled in his eyes, pupils expanding and glowing crimson.
His wand was pointed at Snape, blue-silvery mist unfurling from tip, curling and twisting in its descent to the floor.
This was it. This was the end. Everything he worked for. Everything he hoped for. Gone within one hour and four words.
"Brace yourself, Professor Snape."
_A/N: And that's a wrap folks! I know, cliffhanger, but hey! We want to keep you coming back for more, remember? So, we're going to be mean and end it there! Sorry! :P
Anyways, tell us what you think. If we should continue, did you like it or not, what can we improve, what can we change, etc. Leave a review with all your thoughts! :)
That's about it then I guess. Until the next chapter then. See you and thanks for reading! :D
Hey guys! It's Ten here and this is the story me and oceanic moon wrote, also on her account. Hope you enjoyed it! Bye!
-Ten
