Chapter One: The Prisoner of Darkness:
Severus hurried along the dark path to the dark manor before him, he was in pain but refused to show it. He could tend to his wounds later, He yanked the shorter pale haired teen boy roughly along when the teen tried to yank his arm from the grip of the tall dark haired man. The boy was still clad in his school uniform and robes and the man was clad in his black teacher's robes, they were in a hurry with the others next to them. All were in black, though Severus stood out even here with his long greasy black hair, black eyes and pale face and long lean form. He snarled at a wild haired woman with near black locks of hair, dark gray heavy lidded eyes clad in gown and bodice of black. Next to her a stocky man with gray hair and whiskers clad in black robes that seemed too tight with yellow eyes was growling softly. Others too walked with them, and all remained quiet as they were aware of the anger rolling off of Severus and Draco Malfoy the pale boy next to Severus.
They entered the manor and headed into a long low room that had been a ballroom at one point but now was more throne room. The room was spotless, clean though bare with only torches along the wall lighting the room. At the end a man clad in layers of black silk robes sat in a throne like chair stroking a dark green snake. He was very snake-like in his looks as well, his eyes were red with slits for pupils and he had hardly any nose and a nearly lipless mouth in his hairless face. He watched as Severus threw Draco from him, as if in disgust, in fact it was an act but none here could know that. Deep inside Severus's heart was breaking to a thousand pieces, he did his best to keep the pain of the curse he was forced to cast on Dumbledore. He had never used the killing curse to kill anyone and it hurt so much even though Dumbledore had told him what would happen if he did not release him, the horrible pain he suffered and how it grew worse with each day.
"So is the deed done?" Voldemort asked.
"Yes master it is." Severus replied.
"Who cast the curse Severus?" Voldemort asked.
"Forgive me my lord, Draco was to do the deed I know this but I lost control." Severus said his eyes on the floor, "I cast the killing curse."
"He took my revenge!" Draco snarled, "he shoved me out of the way master!"
"Is that true?" Voldemort said.
"It is my lord." Bellatrix said, "Dumbledore was using his silver tongue to try and sway Draco, and Draco was overcoming it yet he was too slow. Severus did the deed."
"Has this anything to do with the unbreakable vow you made Severus." Voldemort said getting up to walk before his still kneeling servant, getting Severus to look up in him in shock, "rise, now, I know all about that, I cannot blame a mother for wishing her only child safe. I find that, noble yet you took advantage of the situation did you not Severus?"
"I am sorry master, I hated the old fool, all the years I was forced to work under him, not allowed my full potential, never allowed near the dark arts." Severus replied.
"A filthy half blood should not have taken what was mine by right!" Draco said.
Now Draco was scared and thought he was going to be severely punished. He had not wanted Dumbledore dead, he had offered him freedom, and he hated Severus for taking his life from him. He knew surviving was not enough under Voldemort, he had to do more, to advance as there was nothing more for him but that. Voldemort would win and he had to be where he would not be just a slave but a valued part of his inner circle. Severus had taken his glory and he was going to make him pay. He took out his wand and before he could be stopped he cast a very powerful Cruciatus curse at Severus, Severus was not prepared for this and he screamed in shock and very real pain. Voldemort turned and summoned Draco's wand but the damage was done, hurting from the slash of Buckbeak's claws, and now his second Cruciatus curse in a single night Severus just lay curled up on the floor unable to do anything but tremble in pain.
"Do that again young master Malfoy and I will make you taste the lash is that clear?" Voldemort said seizing the boy by the throat, "the deed is done, and if you wish to continue serving me and remain alive you will not harm Severus again!"
"Yes master, I am sorry master." Draco said making sure to show Voldemort feelings of remorse, anger and shame at not being allowed to kill Dumbledore. "It is true master the old fool's words were weaving a spell but I threw it off, I was going to cast the curse and was shoved out of the way."
"You state the truth, I am impressed, you are not the only to be nearly swayed by that old fool's words. Though you father has very little use you show promise." Voldemort said. "If you pass my tests this summer I will allow you one more chance to prove yourself."
"Thank you master, you are far too good to me." Draco said.
"I am aren't I?" Voldemort said, "a little lesson first, Crucio."
Draco fell to his knees and crumpled to the floor and cried out in pain, when the curse was lifted Voldemort helped him up and sent him away with his aunt. He looked over to where Lucius stood, tall, haggard looking his long blond hair not as sleek as it had once been. Voldemort knew how to get to Lucius, to use his son against him would be quite amusing, if he did not need to still punish Lucius he would not bother with Draco as he did. The boy was not weak, well not as weak as he had thought he would be, he believed the boy had wanted to kill Dumbledore and in time he would make a fine killer out of him. He turned to where Severus still had not moved and nudged the potions master with his foot. Severus tried to get up but fell back refusing to cry out in pain, Voldemort saw he was hurt but he did not care, he was going to interrogate him here and now. He forced Severus to look him in the eye, with stronger Occulumens like Severus this was the only way and he soon found all he needed to know.
"I see, you were hurt, unable to get Potter to me as well." Voldemort said.
"I am sorry master, I was attacked by that creature Hagrid keeps, and I had to keep Draco safe as well master." Severus replied. "I am sorry I killed Dumbledore, I know that was not my place."
"No, but I cannot fault you, still disobey me again and you will suffer." Voldemort said, "get up, if you can."
"Master, let me have him." Bellatrix said walking up, "I still do not trust him."
"No Bella, he is mine, get up Severus." Voldemort said completely ignoring the fact that Severus was too hurt to stand, he did notice he was now bleeding freely on the floor. "Get him out of here and get this filth cleaned up!"
Ever since Voldemort had come back in his current body he hated germs and preferred everyone around him to be clean. He was not happy to see Severus bleeding on the floor, his nice clean floor, if he was not so certain that Severus would die he would have cast another Cruciatus curse at him. Severus was taken away while a trembling house elf cleaned up the blood and scurried away so glad it was not hurt or tortured. Severus was led to private rooms where he was stripped, cleaned up and healed and allowed to sleep and recover. He shoved deep into the back of his mind the grief and horror he felt at his actions, (a most unhealthy thing to do) and went to sleep. He would have to deal with what he had done and putting it off was not good for his mental health, however he was able to sleep well at this time.
It was early next morning that Voldemort came to see him. He took in the pale lean figure of his potions master sleeping on his stomach (for Severus was his now he thought with satisfaction). He did not doubt Severus would now do as he was told without the threat of that old fool over him. Voldemort walked over to stand over Severus and pushed back the blankets to take a look at his shoulder seeing that the gashes from the creature were healed but for thin red lines. Severus woke as Voldemort was pushing back his hair to see the full damage, he dared not move until Voldemort stepped back then he turned over and sat up, keeping his eyes lowered in submission.
"I am sorry master." Severus said, "I tried to bring Potter to you unharmed."
"No matter Severus, you did well in killing Dumbledore, I have work for you." Voldemort said, "I need you to brew for me."
"Yes master." Severus said.
"Go shower, then we will talk." Voldemort said stepping back allowing Severus to get up, "I feel the need to keep a close eye on you for the time being Severus."
"Yes master." Severus said.
Severus did go and showered, shaved and dressed in his cleaned clothing. He still felt dirty deep inside, he had killed the only one still alive who had even cared about him for who he was. He wanted to die but he still had work to do. He walked out of the room he had slept in that night and followed Voldemort down to the kitchens where he was allowed to eat before Voldemort decided to question him. He was not able to eat much and luckily Voldemort did not say anything, he must think he was still ill. Severus was known to eat well but it seemed he could not at this time. A few potions were shoved at him by the dark lord and he took them, knowing that right now at least he was not going to be poisoned or killed. He saw Lucius standing at the door glaring at him, he glared back and when Voldemort turned he saw Lucius almost back up in fear.
"Ah Lucius, good of you to show up, on time." Voldemort said getting up to walk up to Lucius.
"Master, forgive me, but why is Severus here?" Lucius asked. "He is not to be trusted!"
"Because I killed Dumbledore is that it?" Severus said getting up, "I already apologized for that, I know I took that which was Draco's right, I was wrong I know that…"
"The deed was done, and Severus knows if he does something like that again I will see how long he can survive under torture." Voldemort said.
The two wizards followed him out and Apparated to the gates of Malfoy Manor, Narcissa had been busy, she had set up new wards that made the property unplotable and now the ministry would find it hard to find the manor. Now set behind powerful Black and Malfoy wards even Voldemort was impressed. He was even more impressed when he was greeted warmly by Narcissa, she was lovely, with honey blond hair piled up on her head and clad in robes of green. Still Voldemort liked her sister best, Bellatrix would always have a special place in what heart he might have, she curtseyed low to him and he stopped her from kneeling before him. He could not stay mad at her, after all she had done for him, why she had presented the body of Alastor Moody to him, she had been wounded and still bore a long think scar on her face from that. She had partly redeemed herself to him, and really he could rarely stay mad at her after all.
Malfoy manor was twice as large as Riddle manor, then again though the Riddle family was wealthy they were nowhere near as wealthy as the Malfoy family. Malfoy manor went back to the days of Queen Elizabeth the first when the Malfoy family came from France and pledged loyalty to the English crown. They were granted land in Wiltshire and the massive manor house was built. It was four levels of warm yellow stone with mullioned windows with six towers and massive gardens surrounded by neatly trimmed hedges and filled with flowers and herbs of all kinds. It truly was a beautiful manor, with the main hall paneled in rich dark wood, expensive rugs on the wooden floors. There were rooms with silk on the walls and hand painted wall paper, sitting rooms, studies, offices and a massive library was here too. A massive ballroom had been set up by the house elves under Narcissa's supervision for the meetings she knew would take place there with the dark lord.
"My lord it is an honor to have you here." Narcissa said curtseying, not kneeling as her sister did, she was not a death eater herself after all. "I hope our humble home is to your liking."
"It should be, though I sense your husband is not as happy as you are with my being here." Voldemort said.
"He has not been himself my lord, it seems, forgive me if I say this, it seems he has not the strength of my dear sister here in dealing with the Dementors."
"He has much to answer for, as does Severus." Voldemort said.
"I am sorry Narcissa, Draco would have done the deed but, I was full of rage and instead did so myself." Severus said, "I swear I was not taking advantage of the vow, my anger took the glory from your son, it was not my place to kill Dumbledore."
"Yes, Draco is most upset with you Severus." Narcissa said, "however I could understand your rage."
"Enough, Severus will stay near me." Voldemort said, "I have need of potions made and he will spend his time here, brewing for me, he is not to be disturbed by any but me is that clear?"
Severus knew he was being kept on a tight leash, he was not sure if the worst case scenario Dumbledore had planned was going to come about. After all he was fallible and Harry Potter and those supporting him were proving to be far stronger than he would have thought. He only hoped he could keep his cover, he was a breaths away from a breakdown but could not afford one now. He was shown to rooms that would be his and watched as Voldemort put up wards that would alert him if Severus left them. Severus truly was a prisoner though for now he was not going to be tortured. He knew he was not fully trusted and was a prisoner of Voldemort, still as the only capable potions master and brewer the dark lord had it kept him safe, for now. It really was so good that Wormtail was dead or he was sure he would be in a dungeon writhing and screaming in torture not locked in a suite of comfortable rooms with a list of potions that needed to be made.
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Though Severus was seen to kill Dumbledore Voldemort here does not fully trust him, yet he needs him as Severus is probably the best potions master he could get. Without Wormtail there who can brew potions very well (we know this as he did make the potions and such that kept Voldemort alive in GOF and made the potion that brought him back) Severus is the best option. Still he walks a thin line, a very thin line as he has made a few enemies it seems here. I did want to show Narcissa in a favorable light, she did after all ensure her son's life by going to Severus in the first place. Why then could she not play politics as it were with Voldemort? Yes he can tell if someone is lying, most of the time, but what happens when one is strong at the mind arts? After all he would be good at the art of Legilimency but as his soul is incomplete (by his own hand) could not a complete soul with good Occulumency shields hold him at bay or feed him false memories? One can argue that the mind is not just the brain but the soul as well.