Hey look! Chapter 2! Oh Yeah! Hoped you liked the first one, even though it was really short. Well I guess I better get on with it.
I don't own anything but the idea, blah blah blah…
Every Day is a Struggle
Harry scurried down the hallway after his new master, his scrawny arms filled with books. He stumbled for a minute, almost dropping the load in his arms. He caught himself before disaster struck, and hurried up to his master. Over the last few weeks he had started to eat and now his ribs were hidden again. His black hair was sticking in all direction, even after the hour he spent combing it. After much nagging Severus realized that yelling at the boy wouldn't make Harry's hair any neater, but nevertheless, Harry still tried. His eyes had also lost the drugged look as Severus had weaned him off of them. Severus turned to Harry,
"Hurry up boy, I will not tolerate being late." Harry ran after him, almost dropping the books in his arms again. Severus strode into the somber looking apartment without knocking. "Bellatrix!" Severus called, "You wanted to talk? Well hurry up, I have time to waste somewhere else."
"Hush, Severus, I am here." The older woman walked into the room. Her eyes glinted with something akin to insanity and her midnight hair was piled on top of her head. She wore old fashioned robes in black and dark purple, giving her the look of a medieval mistress. She looked at the small boy hiding behind Severus and smiled hungrily. "I see you have found yourself a new toy Sevvie." She giggled as she leaned in to stroke Harry's face. Harry drew back and before Bellatrix could reach any further, Severus grabbed her arm.
"No touching, Bellatrix. You are the reason I had to get a new slave. Remember what happened to the last one? I believe he is still screaming." Bellatrix snickered as Severus released her arm. "And by the way, don't call me Sevvie." Severus growled at her before turning back to the business at hand. "So why did you call me here?" Severus questioned. He was wary, he didn't trust Bellatrix. Ever since the Dark Lord's rise into power, he trusted no one, especially Bellatrix. She was like a spider, when you least expected it, she would bite your head off. And when you were in the Dark Lord's inner circle, you had to be mistrusting. There were so many people who wanted to kill you, it was best to remain secluded, as Severus had.
"You remember the, ah, sensitive, mission the Dark Lord gave me?" Severus nodded and Bellatrix continued. "Well unfortunately, I failed to find the boy that Master wanted. The Potter boy, oh what was his name… Ah, it was Harry!" Harry shrunk farther behind Severus, What did this awful woman want with me? Harry thought to himself. He looked at Severus, wondering when the older man would turn him in, but Severus didn't even blink.
"So? What do your unsurprising failures have to do with me?" Severus replied in a monotone. Bellatrix hissed at the insult, but she needed help so she didn't argue.
"Well, to redeem myself, Master gave me a new mission. Apparently the muggle Prime Minister has bee resisting the Dark Lord's wishes and He has grown impatient, so He has given me permission to kill the Prime Minister." Severus merely raised his eyebrows, waiting for her to get to the point. "I was told to poison him with a special poison. It will make it look like a suicide, but I am not a potion maker. I need you to make it for me." Severus looked at her, unmoved.
"And why would I help you? We are not friends, or even allies. I see no reason why I should help you." Severus said, watching Bellatrix closely. Bellatrix looked at him, pleading.
"I know, Severus, but this is for the Dark Lord. I cannot fail again. It would mean severe punishment, or worse." Bellatrix was almost on her knees now, begging. Severus had never seen her this upset before, He must have been very angry with her. Severus thought about it, Bellatrix was simple, sadistic yes, but simple. He could easily predict what she was going to do. If she was replaced, the newcomer might not be quite as easily manipulated. Also, Bellatrix owing him was something that appealed to Severus. Bellatrix was almost in tears by the time Severus answered her.
"I will make your potion Bellatrix. Remember, I will not do it for free. There will be a price, and when the time comes, you better repay." Severus said sternly. Bellatrix didn't even hesitate.
"Of course! Anything! Thank-you Severus." Bellatrix said, trying to get a hold of herself. Without another word, Severus turned on his heels and left, leaving Harry to scurry behind him. Once at home, Severus ushered Harry into his private rooms. He turned to the boy, who was seated on a chair uncomfortably, looking at the floor.
"Look at me Harry," Severus commanded. Harry looked up and once again shocked the older man with his jade green eyes. "What does my Master want with you, boy? What are His plans?" Severus wondered out loud. Harry looked up from the floor again.
"I do not know, master. I am just a slave." he answered slowly, carefully choosing his words. Severus sighed, he was torn. He needed to turn the boy in if his Master wanted him. It was his duty. But something Severus could not name was holding him back. Over the last few weeks he had grown fond of the boy, though he would die before admitting that. He needed time, he decided. Time.
Alright! That was fun. Sorry about all of the chapters being short. I am hoping that when I get the hang of this they become longer. Note that after awhile the updates will start slowing down to about once a week. Please read and respond!