Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters and I don't earn money for this story.
I hope you like it!
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
1. The Scheme
In his manor Voldemort sat on his throne and pondered about the desaster in the Department of Mysteries. Some of his best Death Eaters had been sent to Azkaban , Bellatrix and – to his great surprise – Malfoy being among them. He had considered the blonde aristrocrate for a more intelligent being than that. The Dark Lord really thought about making Malfoy responsible for the whole incident and letting him rot in Azkaban for a while. Maybe than he would be more careful next time.
But nevertheless Voldemort had to admit that he had underestimated the Potter boy. Again. That nuisance had a little bit too much luck for his taste. Dumbledore seemed to be glued to his heels and it was just a matter of time until the old coot had trained him well enough to be a real danger to him. Even if Severus estimated the boy's magical abilities as "mediocre" at best.
And then there was this Order of the Phoenix. Potter had become the symbol of the resistance against him. Without their Golden Boy they were just a bunch of idiots. All of them.
Suddenly a smirk crept on his non-existent lips. There was a way to would eliminate Potter without killing him. The boy was too well protected to attack openly. But there was a weakness in his opponent of whom Dumbledore knew already but had obviously underestimated it: The link between Potter and him. He would be able to destroy the Boy Wonder completely without killing him. Plus he could humiliate the boy in a way that would also give Dumbledore the finish stroke. Then he, the Dark Lord, would just have to walk through the front gate and take Hogwarts over. Once and for all.
A hoarse laughter echoed through the halls. Why hadn't he thought about it sooner? It was about time to reward Severus for his loyal services. It was fascinating how his charge had managed to delude Dumbledore in all the years and was still doing it successful. His black snake was his favourite.
Of course the potions master got a Cruciatus here and there so he didn't forget who was his master and his Death Eaters didn't think he would play favourites. Even if Bellatrix had always seen herself as his most loyal servant, she was just a megalomaniac madwoman who would get herself killed one day. And Voldemort would love to watch.
Severus was different. Lucius had called his attention to the slender, highly gifted Slytherin. A halfblood like Voldemort himself, tortured and despised by his muggel father. The Dark Lord had travelled into the Forbidden Forest and there he had met Severus who had been cursed and left there by some Gryffindors known as the "Marauders". He had felt the power, that surrounded the student and had seen a potential in the deep black eyes which he could by no means let have Dumbledore. Now he just had had to convince the boy to join him.
Easier said than done. Severus really had had the nerve to turn him down. Twice. Only when Voldemort had let him choose between being the Gryffindors plaything for the rest of his life or to become a real powerful wizard, powerful enough that no one of his tormentors would attack him ever again, Severus had given in.
Voldemort let Severus have the best education you could get, and after the 19 year old had become the youngest potions master ever and had surpassed the mastery tests with the best result for 500 years, Voldemort had felt a nearly fatherly pride. Since then Severus had brewed potions for him and invented new ones. The Slytherin had never participate at the torture parties the other Death Eaters had loved so much because he detested the torture of human beings, especially women and children. He had only killed someone when it was absolutely necessary. But he had always been loyal to his master and had never denied a single request. Yes, it wa about time to reward his charge for his services.
"Nagini."
The magnificent animal slithered towards him. The Dark Lord tore a strip of fabric from his robe and performed a charm. The strip transformed in a dark green velvet collar. Another flick with his wand and silver letters appeared on the velvet: "Property of Severus T. Snape."
Voldemort caressed the triangular head of his pet.
"I have a mission for you, my precious. Take this to Harry Potter. He is in Hogwarts."
Nagini took the collar. Her master transformed it into a portkey, which would take her to the frontier of the grounds of Hogwarts. After that she would find her way.
Voldemort lied back and closed his eyes. It was about time to give Harry Potter a new identity.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
What do you think?
As you maybe already noticed, I'm in need of a Beta-Reader, so please answer!!