Disclaimer: Me not own.

He knelt before the Dark Lord. His thoughts were blocked to everyone. He avoided eye contact and maintained a schooled expression, letting none of his fear, anger or humiliation show. He had messed up. He knew that but maybe the Dark Lord was feeling generous… His generous moods were few and far between. It was still a chance though.

"Rise, Severus. I have another… special mission for you… They are your speciality after all…"

A few of the other Death Eater's sniggered at this.

"And Severus… You know that if you don't do it properly this time… She will be punished worse."

"Yes Master" He whispered, his thoughts racing. "However, she is not in the best shape after you sent another to… finish my mission. She may not last if I keep doing this… I beg of you, let her recover for a few days before we continue with your plan."

The Dark Lord sneered down at him. "Are you… worried about her, Severus? And here I thought you were one of my most faithful death eater's…"

His stomach clenched tight as he heard his Master's words. He was constantly reminded of the part he tried to play in the war… He had tried to save the Potter boy… He still remembered it as if it were yesterday and not years ago…

FLASHBACK

"Here you are, cowering at my feet like the dog you are! Get up, Dog!"

Voldemort, the Dark Lord, kicked the boy in front of him. The boy who lived was about to die. Severus stood watching a few feet away, his mask effectively keeping his face hidden from the boy.

"I said, GET UP!" Voldemort said again with another kick to the boy's ribs. Harry coughed and tried to stand but his legs collapsed underneath him. Voldemort had beaten him in a duel and this was the price for him to pay.

"Fool! GET UP! I will not have your unworthy hands near me!"

Harry coughed slightly before speaking. "I am not a fool. I fought for my friends and family… I have people who love me… No-one loves you. You are a pathetic, old man. You're all alone. I may die today but I know that it was for my friends and if I die, you can't touch any of them. I die for them as my father and mother died for me."

During this short speech, Harry had risen to his knees slowly and then to his feet, wavering slightly but standing tall and strong as once his father did. He was looking the Dark Lord directly in the eyes. He spat.

The Dark Lord flinched automatically and then swept out a hand smacked the boy on his already bruised cheek. Harry fell to the ground again but looked up to Lord Voldemort with a look of pity on his face. There was a movement to The Dark Lord's right as Severus shifted uncomfortably… Visions of the boy's mother had swept into his mind as the boy had defied Lord Voldemort.

The Dark Lord noticed no difference and pulled out his wand to finish off the boy who had plagued his mind. Harry looked directly at Severus then. Afterwards, Severus could only remember those eyes. Lily's eyes boring a hole straight through his soul. That's why he did what he did. He shoved The Dark Lord suddenly into the dirt and grabbed the boy, disapparating before the others could get over the shock.

END FLASHBACK

"Yes… Faithful servant… That is you, Severus. And you remind me everyday why I am so lucky to have such devoted followers. Followers who know that when they do something wrong, they deserve punishment."

FLASHBACK

"This will teach you to help that boy and betray our Master!"

Ten wands pointed at him and said in one voice, "Crucio."

His shrieks echoed though the woods as his body twitched and burned.

Lord Voldemort sat watching the spectacle with hard eyes.

"My Lord! We found him! We found the Potter-Boy sir!" Lucius said as he apparated in clutching a stupefied body with him. He laid the body on the ground in front of his Master and kneeled. The Dark Lord looked up at Severus and smiled grotesquely before pointing his own wand at Harry Potter and whispering the words…

"Avada Kedavra" A flash of green light and the last threat to The Dark Lord's existence was gone. But they weren't done with Severus yet…

END FLASHBACK

"Yes Master" Severus said before he swept off to the cellar that the girl was kept in. He unlocked the door and stepped in, locking the door behind him. He was right… She hadn't recovered yet. But what could he do? Nothing. He readied his wand and steeled himself. Kill or be killed. He cast the spell and took her once again. Gaining no gratification from what he was doing. He blocked his ears to her screams and left his mind. This is how it was. There was nothing he could do… Not even for Hogwart's Number One Ex-Know-It-All.

Hope that clears up any questions and what do you think? Please don't ask me for another chapter!!! This one was hard and I don't really like it but anyway... Review please!