There was a primal scream from the top of the stairs and then… silence.
"My Lord?"
"Severus…" The Dark Lord rubbed his temples and sighed. "I called you in here to discuss a matter which, if not remedied immediately, might utterly destroy me."
His minion blinked, emotionless yet clearly confused, hesitantly taking the one free chair that the room offered. This was Lucius Malfoy's office: the conversation was obviously not meant to be overheard.
He watched as the Dark Lord prepared to speak.
"I assume you are aware of my brief liaison with Bellatrix Lestrange?"
Snape nodded; it hadn't exactly been kept a secret.
"And of her pregnancy?"
Snape's eyes widened. "No, my Lord."
"Well, now you know. There is a child, Severus. I intend to get rid of it."
The spy frowned. "How so, my Lord?"
"You." There was an uncomfortable pause. Voldemort absently fingered his wand. Then;
"Me, my Lord?"
"I believe that is what I said, Snape. Yes. You. You will dispose of the child."
"But why not use the killing curse?"
"An adult corpse is hardly questioned, Severus. A child? That is a different matter. There is the chance that the case may be followed up and I may risk being prematurely exposed."
Snape nodded. "I could always have Albus Dumbledore adopt it, weak minded fool that he is. He would jump at the chance."
"What would you tell him?"
"That I had found it abandoned in an alleyway. That it could be the spawn of some muggle girl who wished not to keep it."
"Good. Do with it what you will. It waits upstairs."
The door banged closed.