Disclaimer: Every single character in this story, except for the OCs I might make up, belongs to JK Rowling. I do not own Harry Potter.
AN: This next chapter takes place during parts of Regulus's story, but told from Snape's perspective. If you're only just reading this chapter, I highly recommend going back and reading the first few chapters, otherwise you might be a wee bit confused by the end.
July 1st 1978 (three months earlier)
Snape POV
Solitude is a value that I hold in quite high regard. It is wholly infallible, in that you are only required to depend on yourself. In comparison, the dependence brought on by socializing and interaction inevitably leads to disappointment, anger and pain.
Solitude means I am left to myself to work, study, relax and simply be in peace. It is my quiet fortress in which I am the master and commander.
And ever since…her…my fortress would never play host to anyone ever again.
Be that as it may, I found myself making an exception in one Regulus Arcturus Black. The boy was a year younger than me, and seemed quite sociable, but I could tell it was all a mask. Beneath the façade of a pure blood socialite, expert in the art of social maneuverings was a kindred spirit. One who shared my thoughts and moral sense. I could tell that he was an intellectual, one who wished to simply gather knowledge and grow mentally.
It was with this thought that I found myself spending more and more time with him, researching, discussing, debating and simply enjoying the peacefulness in each other's presence. We became…friends.
And now, I have betrayed him.
Today is the day he receives his Mark.
Today is the day he enters the service of the Dark Lord, joining him at my encouragement. The Dark Lord had me study him, test him and eventually recruit him, as he wished for a Black to formally enter his service. His plan was to murder the Mongrel Black and place Regulus at the head of the family once Orion passed on, which is expected to be quite soon. This essentially meant that the immense power and influence that the Noble and Most Ancient House of Black held would be readily available to the Dark Lord.
However the Mongrel has been in hiding for quite some time. The Dark Lord has had trackers hunting him down for months, to no avail, and I fear the Dark Lord will deem Regulus no longer useful if the search remains fruitless.
And when a minion is considered no longer useful to the Dark Lord, he is only one other thing.
Disposable.
.
.
.
"Are you fully prepared for your ordeal Regulus?"
"Why Severus! Do I detect a hint of worry in your tone?"
Yes, you do my friend, yes you do.
My mask, hiding the frown that had graced my face for so very long, covered my face. Regulus is a stubborn man, and when he feels the subjugation brought on by his initiation, I worry he will fight it. And any sort of struggle has severe consequences. The Dark Lord demands complete and utter servitude.
I look over at his him and simply laugh as condescendingly as possible.
"Worried? Don't be a fool Black! I simply do not want you to make an ass out of me. After all, it was I who recommended you."
His mouth morphs into a knowing smirk.
"Ah yes, but of course. We wouldn't want anything to happen to your stellar reputation now would we Snape?"
I shot a glare his way and opened my mouth, a sharp retort on the tip of my tongue, just as the Dark Lord sweeps into the clearing. With his black robes billowing and a dark aura surrounding him, he makes quite a terrifying appearance. As I watch his eyes sweep the room a shiver runs down my spine. The amount of raw power that accompanied his presence was nearly overwhelming.
As he sits on his throne, he lays his eyes on Regulus.
This was it.
"Regulus Arcturus Black, scion of the Noble and Most Ancient House of Black, step forward to receive your Mark and enter my service."
.
.
.
Why is he still shaking? Merlin, is he trying to fight the Mark? Surely not! He cannot be this foolish!
He seemed quite unsteady after the Dark Lord dismissed him, but that was understandable. However, he continues to tremble and quiver by my side. I fear the worst. Any ordinary wizard cannot overcome the Dark Mark. Even those most advanced in Bonding magic would find the Dark Mark incredibly intricate and bewildering.
The Dark Lord seems to be finishing; I must act quickly if I am to save Regulus. The moment he dismisses us, I whip around, ready to apparate Regulus away from here, but I already see him striding away and then spinning quickly on the spot. Just before he disappears, he catches my eye for the fleetest of seconds. I register only one emotion.
Fear.
.
.
.
He survived?
When I hadn't heard from him for a few days, I became worried, but then, he showed up at the Manor. The picture of perfect health, raring to go, he greeted me with a smirk and nothing else.
I do not understand. How is this possible? Surely he didn't best the Dark Lord?
Or was there more to Black than I thought?
.
.
.
The Dark Lords Manor is bursting with activity. Masked Death Eaters stride in and out, sporting wounds, carrying prisoners or their own injured, gathering together for the next raid to commence. Like little ants, they continue to work, even when one of their number falls, they simply clamber over him and continue working.
Gone are the days of selective recruitment. The only time the Dark Lord wishes for a recommendation is when he is recruiting to add to the ranks of the Upper Echelon, and potentially his Inner Circle. For example, I was recruited by Lucius to enter the Upper Echelon. Currently, I have been informed that I am being considered to join the Dark Lords Inner Circle, which is a great honor, but terrifying nonetheless. The Dark Lord will require access to the entirety of my mind, something I am quite uncomfortable with.
Anyone below Upper Echelon is considered to be…easily expendable. Fodder, as Lucius would put it.
As I stood in the shadows of the Main Hall, observing the worker ants, I noticed Regulus coming down the stairs, exiting the Dark Lords main chamber. The look of feverish anticipation on his face informed me that his secret meeting with the Dark Lord had gone well. As he reached the bottom of the stairs, he looked to the shadows where I was standing and smirked.
"Always in covert operative mode aren't we Severus?"
I allowed a small twitch to grace my lips at his humorous remark. His uncanny ability to spot me even in the deepest shadows continues to both impress and thoroughly aggravate me. I stepped out of the shadows and fixed him with a glare.
"Very droll Black. Now what has you flouncing down the stairs with that idiotic grin on your face?"
He eyed me for a second, seemingly judging whether or not he should say anything. His excitement, however, got the better of him.
"I have finally been assigned a mission!" He blurted out, a childlike tinge affecting his voice. "A real, personal mission for the Dark Lord! Perhaps after I recover the artifact he will allow me access to his personal library, like you!"
I quickly grabbed his arm and pulled him down an empty hallway.
"Restrain yourself Regulus! You must be wary whilst in the Dark Lords Manor." I let go of his arm, and brushed some imaginary dust of my robes. "The underlings will always seek to undermine us if given the correct tools. As for gaining access to the Dark Lords personal library, you must be successful in far more missions to be granted such an honor. You have the potential, but you must be effective when carrying out the Dark Lords missions. Be quick, be efficient, be subtle and most of all, ask no questions. The Dark Lord hates questions."
Regulus listened raptly, absorbing every word. When I had finished talking, he looked me right in the eye and held my gaze for a moment. His hand reached out and grasped my shoulder firmly.
"Thank you Severus. Truly."
And with that, he departed.
.
.
Here I stand, gazing over the sand dunes.
So much has changed since Regulus departed for his mission.
When the Dark Lord informed me of his death via the Mark. I was told that it was because Regulus was a traitor. I had not believed it, but there was little I could do without seeming suspicious. I remember drinking far into the night. It felt like what happened with her all over again. I felt like I had lost a vital part of my identity. He was my ally, my brother in arms, and my confidante.
He was my only friend.
I remember waking up in a heap next to my fireplace, shattered glass glinting in the ashes. I remember the shame that burnt through me for bringing about his murder at the hands of a pockmark.
Then, he was alive. I had sat there, stunned, my mouth hanging open as Regulus Arcturus Black stood in front of me in the flash. He was alive! However my elation was short-lived.
He was immediately captured and thrown into a cell. No information concerning how he survived was gleamed from the Dark Lords vigorous punishment. Once again, he was left to die.
This time, however, he would not die. Not if there was anything I could do about it. He was the only person in the world I could trust, and no man, woman or beast could stop me.
Thus, I planted some muggle explosives, went down to his cell, released him, healed him, told him when to run and departed. He was barely conscious, so I had waited a little while longer, hoping he would regain his strength, before I detonated the explosives. The explosion rocked the manor I watched as he ran outside the gates, alarms blaring, and mentally sighed in relief. He was safe.
Now here I am, in the company of murderers, werewolves and cannon fodder, waiting for the wards to go down.
The Dark Lord himself assigned this mission. I was to oversee the extermination of Regulus Black and any that accompany him. This was my way into the Inner Circle.
However, this would be my last mission for the Dark Lord. I no longer find this subjugation bearable. And I highly doubt he'll be very happy with me when he finds out the mission failed BECAUSE of me.
I have started thinking of myself as a Trojan Horse.
And this is my Troy.
AN: Thank you for reading and I hope you enjoyed it!