Severus swallowed the last of his dinner and looked at Tom nervously as he began to talk. This was Riddles territory, he couldn't snipe and snark here. He just had to keep his head down and not disobey any rules. Thankfully Tom was kind enough to lay them out for him.
"The first thing we should get out of the way is the details of your employment. I will pay 2000 Galleons at the end of summer, and monthly wage of 500 into a Gringotts account for you."
He didn't get any further before Severus had all the pieces connected-he thought-and took a shaky deep breath. "Albus Dumbledore. You want me to spy on Albus Dumbledore? How did you even-"
"Lucius Malfoy was all too happy to recommend you in his stead-I am hoping you will be better at it than he is."
Severus was going to skin the blonde-haired prat.
Ignoring the alarm bells that screamed out all the consequences should he get caught he nodded, appearing relatively calm.
"The other rules sir?"
Tom was impressed. Severus had regained his composure quickly, gone was the trembling shaking mess and instead he was looking at a Slytherin, ready to deal with the devil.
"I expect you to have respect- clean up after yourself, do not cheek me and do not lie to me. I will not stand for that."
"Yes sir."
Absentmindedly Severus wondered how high on the Death Eater food chain the man was if he was confident enough to insult a Malfoy and take charge of Severus in such a way. He stood and followed the man to the sitting room, absorbing every detail of the manor and mapping immediate escape routes and such on the way. When Tom sat in the chair closest to the fire Severus stayed standing hovering near the door. He knew this man was dangerous, it radiated off him in a way that reminded Severus of someone-Dumbledore maybe. He had just decided to think on it more when Tom snapped "Sit down Severus, you'll give me a headache."
"Sorry sir." He slunk into the seat opposite Riddle and waited for the man to say something, anything before the silence suffocated him. Resisting the urge to pull at the collar of his now blood-free shirt he allowed himself to subtly scratch at the weathered skin on his thumb, scarred and thick from years of anxiety-brought abuse.
"Whats the first thing you'll do when you come of age Severus?" What? What the hell?
"Hadn't expected to live that long." The words slipped from his mouth in his shock and he winced.
"Oh?" There was no pity or judgement in that tiny word and he scowled.
"I'm sorry sir."
"For what? You have committed no crime. Your father should never treat you like that."
Oh really? He hadn't noticed. Who did this man think he was?