DISCLAIMER : Not mine.
A/N : This is post-HBP only with a slight changes. One, Slughorn abandoned his job as Potions Professor after the death of Albus Dumbledore. Two, Harry did break up with Cho but he never went out with Ginny. Hope you enjoy.
The Wheels of Fate
Chapter 1. The Wheel Starts Turning
Severus did not feel good about his summons.
In fact, he never did. But that it was nearing midnight, and the Dark Lord hardly summoned his followers this late at night…meant whatever his reason was, it was something important.
It had taken him sometime to arrive at that place. After he flooed to his new office, he changed into his Death Eater robes and cast a Disillusionment Charm upon himself. Then he went for the Forbidden Forest in order to apparate.
So by the time Severus arrived at the Malfoy Manor, it seemed everybody else summoned was already present. As he approached the Manor, he could see other Death Eaters by the tall window. His discomfort grew significantly as he noticed how many of them were present. By the looks of it, it seemed at least few dozens of hooded figures were there. It could mean nothing good if this many were attended.
As he entered the Manor, he drew a sharp intake of breath. Death Eaters were lined up and at the end sat the Dark Lord. And by his side was an unconscious Asian girl tied up by her all four limbs whose clothes were ragged supposedly by fighting. Then something terrible dawned on him. Of course, the sulking prophecy. He couldn't help himself frowning under his Death Eater mask at that epiphany but soon wiped it off. He made sure his mind was nothing more but a calm surface of water before meeting the red, serpentine eyes of Lord Voldemort.
"Ah, it seems the most faithful servant of mine has finally arrived," hissed Voldemort.
Severus walked up to where his Lord was being seated and bent to his knees.
"My Lord," said Severus, kissing the hem of his robes.
"I have heard from the Carrows that they have gotten the posts at Hogwarts," stated Voldemort.
"Yes, of course, My Lord. It is always my honor to serve you."
"Look at me, Severus," hissed Voldemort.
Severus slowly raised his head till he felt his red eyes boring into his mind.
"How about the post of Potions Professor? Did you find anyone who qualifies for the job?"
"No, not yet, My Lord. There were people who wanted the job, but all of them proved to be incapable for the post." Severus said, as he carefully let his memories of interviewing the applicants and his annoyance run through his mind.
"Ah, I see." Voldemort hissed, rather contently. "Perhaps you recognize her?"
Then he took the queue to turn his gaze from his Master to have a proper view of the girl. It was no doubt that she had fought her captors—and quite fiercely, at that. She seemed to have minor injuries and wounds but none that Severus thought to be permanent.
"Yes, I do, My Lord. I taught her for the last seven years. She is Miss Cho Chang, a Ravenclaw. She graduated from Hogwarts just a few months ago," said Severus with a hint of annoyance meant for the girl.
"Quite right. And I gather…that she once went out with Potter?" Voldemort's ugly lips curled into what was meant to be a smirk. It was at best, eerie.
"Yes, My Lord. Miss Chang went out with Potter in Potter's fifth year. But Potter being his usual hateful self, Miss Chang thought better of her choice in men and dumped Potter in his sixth year." Severus stated, making sure his voice was evident of the contempt for the boy.
"Ah—so the Boy-Who-Lived, The-Chosen-One got dumped, is that right, Severus?" Voldemort was not hiding his amusement as he asked.
"From what I've heard, yes, My Lord."
"We caught her only about an hour ago. She was daft enough to wonder alone this late at night. What do you suggest we do with her?" Now Voldemort was facing not only Severus but the whole gathered group of his followers.
From the indistinct hooded figures stepped out a man. Drifting down his mask was an unmistakable silvery blond of a Luscius Malfoy. The massive break-out of Azkaban few weeks ago had of course included Luscius.
"Since it has been proven by two that Potter was dumped by this girl," Luscius Malfoy took a second to indicate to Severus and another hooded figure who visibly flinched. "Am I right in deducing that Potter might still have feelings for her, My Lord? Then Potter would be most broken to find out his love thoroughly ravished by a dozen Death Eaters,"
From across Luscius, another figure stepped out from the line. Severus was not sure who it was until he heard the voice.
"I second Luscius' opinions, too, My Lord. She did, after all, react most vehemently when we told her Potter was a piece of scum and way too cowardice to come rescue her. It would most certainly break his heart to know her girlfriend was raped by his enemies." was the voice of Alecto Carrow.
"That would be an option, of course. What are your suggestions, Severus?"
"I disagree with them, My Lord. Though it's irrefutable that the boy will be broken to find out she was thoroughly raped and killed, he would learn to move on without her. He is a hormonal teenager boy, after all. And if we rape her but do not kill her, Potter would probably accept her as she is, try to win her heart again by comforting her. Miss Chang, if in such state, would possibly accept Potter, too." Severus said, no emotion showing in his voice.
"Then, what do you suggest we do with her?" hissed Voldemort.
"My Lord, Miss Chang has an aptitude for Potions Making. However daft she had been in deciding to go out with Potter—it is grudging to admit, she is the best in a few decades." Looking into his Lord's eyes, Severus put the memories of Potions class with Ravenclaws at the foremost of his calm mind. Miss Chang perfecting complicated potions no other student was able to do… Severus grading papers of students… Reading Miss Chang's excellent work of research and re-reading it in case he found any flaw he could take points off of… The paper turning out to be flawless and Severus signing a very grudging 'O' in his red quills…
"I can see that," said Voldemort, having seen Severus' memories.
"And just recently, I have received a letter from her. She was planning on having an apprenticeship on the fields of Potions. She was literally begging me I accepted her. She wrote that no other Potions Master she knew of was quite enough for her…" Severus paused and smirked. The Dark Lord was once again invading his mind to confirm he was not making any of this up. Severus continued.
"Miss Chang had always been a consummate Ravenclaw. She appreciates knowledge, intelligence… She would be more than eager to be accepted as an apprentice of mine. Apprenticing, Miss Chang would have to spend more than significant amount of time close to me, and I am quite sure, My Lord… Potter could never be more broken to find out his love had betrayed him only to love his most hated professor… And of course, I would be…sure…to ravish her both of mind and body most thoroughly…" Severus did not forget to display an expectant smirk upon his face.
"How can you be sure she'll fall to you, though?" said the doubtful voice of Alecto Carrow.
The Dark Lord did not say anything but only stared at Severus with his red eyes, expecting answers.
"I can be quite sure, since I am guessing…her schoolgirl crush she developed in her seventh year…was the main reason she dumped Potter," Severus smirked, confidently.
Severus carefully met the Lord's eyes and felt him invading his mind. The memories that contained Miss Chang blushing occasionally under his penetrating gaze… Once in class his fingers accidentally brushed her hand when he was inspecting a potion and Miss Chang blushing furiously…
The Dark Lord's face contorted into a very ugly smile. Severus knew, by experience, that this meant he was satisfied.
"I will give you the girl, Severus. She will be yours. You can do whatever you want to win her heart and you can break her in anyway you desire… It is high time you received your rewards for your unwavering faith at that night in Hogwarts…" Voldemort suddenly eyed a figure standing next to Luscius and that figure once again flinched. Severus then knew it was probably Draco.
"You will have the girl. Just make sure it doesn't take too long. I am impatient to see Potter suffer his broken heart,"
"Yes, My Lord. You are most magnanimous,"
A/N : Please review! Only a few words from you and I'll be flying like crazy! 2 reviews and I'll post the next chapter. (I know this sounds pathetically desperate but I really am curious what you think...)