A/N: Welcome, ladies and gentlemen, to the first installment in this brand new, seventh year fic, by the duo, Eagle and the Snake, called… Eagle, what are we calling this thing?
Well, the fabulous title our creative brains have come up with is 'Of Strength and War' (see above), and it only took 3 hours to come up with! It sucks you right in doesn't it?
Anyway, we hope you enjoy it. If you don't, we'll pull off your knee-caps and feed them to Snake's pet artichoke, Trixabelle.
The Snake is a poor schmuck that would like to sell this story for all she can, however, since the Eagle is a studying lawyer (a legal Eagle) and therefore has to up-hold the law, be assured that we are making no profit on this story and that everything but the plot belongs to JK Rowling and her associates.
06/02/06 - Reposted this along with chapter one because of some minor mistakes that we were pedantic enough to obsess about! ;) - Snake
Of Strength and War
Prologue - Of Snakes and Sinners
They apparated to a spot just outside the forest and walked briskly towards the secluded clearing. The summons had come suddenly, and both were immediately required to present themselves at the chosen, secret location. Severus Snape and Draco Malfoy said little to each other as they made their way to the impromptu meeting, but neither was in doubt as to what the topic of the night would be. All was quiet as they approached the clearing and joined the circle of cloaked, masked figures awaiting the arrival of their most powerful and feared Lord. As they waited Severus scanned the area, wondering where in the world they were. The precise location of every Death Eater meeting was only known to the Dark Lord himself. It was almost always a place such as this: a dark and secluded area with no defining features or landmarks, making it near impossible to decipher its true locality. It was also heavily warded, with protection mechanisms that allowed entry only to his followers. This particular place was no different - they stood surrounded by the over-lapping branches of a dense, thick forest. Their only source of light was the strong beam of the full moon, hovering above them like a lighthouse beacon beckoning ships in the still of the night.
After a few moments, a tall robed figure with a pale complexion and burning red eyes appeared in the middle of the gathering. None of his followers dared to look at him directly as his red eyes scanned each of them in turn. Then he spoke.
"Severus," Voldemort said in a voice that made everyone shiver, no matter how much they tried to hide it. Weakness was frowned upon. "Come forward."
Severus struggled to remain impassive as he strode forward and dropped to his knees in front of the Dark Lord. "My Lord," Severus said in a quiet, yet firm voice.
"You may rise," he instructed. "You have pleased me immensely, Severus." Severus silently breathed a sigh of relief and got to his feet. There would be no torture tonight; at least not for him. Voldemort continued, "Through your swift action, my greatest enemy, and the only obstacle that ever stood between me and that child, Potter, is dead. Now nothing shall stand in the way of my plans for the boy." He then turned to his Death Eaters and said in a cold voice, "Let this be an example to all of my followers of the great rewards that await all of those who serve me well in this cause."
This speech sent feelings of both pride and fear through Snapes body. Killing Albus had been the hardest task he'd ever faced, but, at the same time it was also his greatest achievement as a Death Eater. The jealousy emanating from his companions as their leader praised him was almost palatable.
"In Lucius' most unfortunate absence, you will assume the position as my right hand," he said. "Do not make me regret this decision, Severus."
This last declaration was made with such a frigid tone that all those present knew that Snape was better off dead than to disappoint the Dark Lord in any way.
He moved back to his position in the circle, as Voldemort waved him off in dismissal.
Voldemort was clearly not finished for the evening as he continued to scan the crowd. "One of you is not worthy of being here today," he declared. Two dozen figures immediately began to fear the worst as Voldemort slowly scanned the crowd with his piercing red eyes. Suddenly, his line of sight locked onto one figure.
"Draco," he said in a dangerously low voice. Trembling from head to toe, Draco slowly stepped forward and kneeled before the Dark Lord, silently praying for a mercy he knew he'd never receive. Severus stood off to the right with an unreadable expression as he watched the exchange with almost morbid fascination.
"You failed to complete your task, Draco. If Severus had not acted as he had, that old fool Dumbledore would still be alive and in my way." Draco shivered, as his mind raced to find an escape to the inevitable torture that would follow Voldemort's speech. The Dark Lord continued, "I had thought you would be more like your father, who was an asset to my cause. I see now that this was a wrong assumption to make." As he said this he lifted his wand and pointed it directly at Draco.
Draco closed his eyes and waited for the pain. There is no real way to brace oneself for the pain of the Cruciatus Curse, especially when it came from one with as much hatred as Lord Voldemort had. Within seconds he was enveloped in pain like he never knew before. His whole body was on fire from the inside out.
The torture went on for what seemed like eternity, as more and more Death Eaters were encouraged to join in. Even Snape, who usually refrained from such menial tasks as torture, had his turn. Finally it ceased, leaving Draco battered and bleeding, his throat shredded from the screams that had been forcefully ripped out of him. As he lay there gasping for breath, Voldemort towered above him and spoke.
"You will do well to remember that only those worthy of this cause may receive the honour of the Dark Mark. You have one more chance to prove yourself worthy for this honour, and that is all. Do not disappoint me again or it shall be the last thing you do!" Everyone shivered.
Draco could only look up at the figure through blurred vision, and respond with a weak, rasping voice, "Yes my Lord."
The meeting ended and as all the Death Eater's began to depart to the apparation point - a bruised and battered Draco following - Voldemort called after them.
"Severus…..Bella," he said, as the group stopped. "You will remain for a moment. There are matters to discuss."
Both Snape and Bellatrix Lestrange approached the Dark Lord and fell into step behind him as he walked, waiting anxiously for him to speak.
Voldemort turned to Snape. "You will brew the Impervius draft for me Severus." Snape struggled to remain expressionless at these words. "You will bring it to me when it is ready, and not speak a word of this to anybody. If you do, the consequences will be severe," he said threateningly.
Severus could do nothing but agree. "Yes, my Lord. It will take time to find the exceedingly rare ingredients, but I will not fail you." He knew full well the consequences of making such a potion for Voldemort, but he was powerless to do anything but adhere to this parody of a man's wishes.
"Good. I expect to hear from you soon. Leave Bella and I now, I will summon you to my side when you are needed."
"Yes, my Lord," Severus replied. He knelt to kiss his master's robes before walking a short distance and disapparating.
Once they were alone, Voldemort turned to Bellatrix, who waited eagerly at his side for instructions. It was no secret that she was his most loyal servant, who would stop at nothing for his cause. She had been deeply jealous with the Dark Lord's praise of Snape earlier that evening. Now, as she stood alone with him, it was comforting to know that he still spoke to her in such confidence.
"You will watch Severus very carefully over the next few months, Bella. While he has done a great deed in ridding us of Dumbledore, I am still uncertain of his true loyalties." Bellatrix tried to hide her smile as he said this. "But he must not know," he continued. "Nothing can come in the way of the Impervius draft. It is essential to my plan," he said.
Bellatrix trembled with excitement not only at the fact that her master did not trust Snape, but more importantly that he clearly trusted her above his other followers. Smiling inwardly at her good fortune, she vowed that she would not let him down. Severus was not worthy of the Dark Lord's trust, and she would expose him for a traitor at all costs.
"This is the year that the pathetic and weak Harry Potter will finally die Bella. He will not be so lucky to escape me again; he doesn't have his precious headmaster to save him this time. He will not live to see his 18th birthday. The boy will be dead long before then. Mark my words," he said with certainty.
Bella could only giggle at the brilliant being at her side. Harry Potter was as good as dead, and her only hope was that she would be present to finally watch him fall at the hands of her esteemed master, Lord Voldemort.
You liked it, didn't you? DIDN'T YOU?
Aww, sorry, Trixabelle. No knee-caps for you this chapter…
