Only one thing to say for this chapter... I'm so sorry, Sev. Please forgive me!
STRONG WARNING - non-consensual content... proceed with caution...
(Note - the consequences will not be the main focus of future chaps)
Chapter 7 – Double Jeopardy
The girl abruptly stood in front of him mumbling excuses… apologies.
"I'm sorry, Sir… I've said all I wanted. I'll just… I have to go now... it's nearly curfew and I have homework I should complete before my Astronomy class at midnight," she blurted, clearly fighting emotion. She shuffled sideways and turned for the door.
"Aries?" he called to her as she turned away from him, and he too leapt to his feet feeling a little confused and taken aback at her reaction. The girl paused briefly and turned half way back to face him.
"Miss Cootes," she corrected him a smidge tersely, and he again felt a right pillock seeing as it was he who had set the rules for their relationship and conduct back in place only moments ago.
"Of course," he said, discomfited and contrite. He lowered his eyes from hers in awkwardness, not able to find anything to add immediately. He knew something was amiss with the girl in front of him but could not pinpoint what it was in that moment; consequently he let her attitude slide, preferring to let the moment pass. She perhaps had every right to be at least a little upset with him and the Headmaster had insisted that she be allowed to express her feelings at this opportunity, if never again.
Aries continued on her path, pausing again only briefly to thank the Headmaster for allowing her this chance to say what she needed. He in turn bid her goodnight and she left promptly.
Severus made a step to follow the seventh year student; instinct pressing him to resolve the errant issue, but instead he paused and turned toward his older colleague, who was somewhat of a mentor to him, for some clue as to what he ought to do. He simply assumed Dumbledore had witnessed and been able to hear the entire exchange. That was the point of chaperoning, after all.
And the Headmaster did not disappoint. "Let her go, Severus… she will not linger in sadness. That one is resilient, a little rejection will not have her down for long," he added, with a knowing nod and wink.
'Rejection…' he thought, having a feeling the term should have meant more in that moment than he was allowing. But he quickly put the sense from his mind. What did it matter, the issue was resolved; granted, not quite as neatly as he'd have liked, but resolved nonetheless.
Severus sighed, grateful for realising he was not required to prolong the encounter with the girl who so easily seemed to be able to bring his defences to their knees, yet also for the guidance and advice relating to dealing with this drama. His inexperience with relationships of any kind, and women in particular, had never felt so evident.
He nodded to the Headmaster, accepting the advice and agreeing with his proposal.
"Good night," he bid his older colleague, before taking a step toward the door.
Dumbledore's forehead creased in concern at his staff member's abrupt intent to leave so soon.
"Severus? Do you want to talk?" he offered, his expression deliberately open and encouraging.
The dark man paused once more, but he did not turn immediately to the old wizard. "No… I just want to see the end of all of this," he expressed honestly… almost pleadingly.
Albus nodded. "I understand," he replied softly. "I understand entirely."
Severus finally turned and they shared a glance; one appreciative, the other sympathetic, and as Severus turned once more back toward the door he was abruptly halted in his tracks one more time. However this time it was not the Headmaster that snatched his attention. He sucked in a sharp breath, but blew it out slowly. He worked hard to maintain his poise and reaction.
Severus' left hand squeezed into a tight fist as his right arm reached across and lightly fingered his left sleeve, his posture rigid and his shoulders tense. He turned on the spot again to face the old man in the far room and locked his gaze with the other, his dark eyes glittering.
The old man's bearded chin tilted in question.
"I have just been summoned," the dark man responded candidly, his voice emotionless and his expression now closed and distant.
Dumbledore stood from his seated position on the couch, his expression calculating and shrewd. He did not allow the flicker of concern that rushed to his chest to show on his face.
He nodded his comprehension. "Good Evening then, Severus," he responded. "I imagine I shouldn't have to remind you to tread carefully?" he added, his gaze piercing.
Severus nodded once in reply and turned in a flurry of black robes; striding from the room quickly.
A flurry of thoughts and concerns rushed through Severus' mind as he stormed through the castle halls to the entrance and out into the snowy grounds; from his recent confrontation with Miss Cootes, to the hard lump of sugar sitting discreetly in his pocket, and subsequently the soothing (though poignant) words of the Headmaster. He furiously attempted to rally his mind into an orderly fashion that could be easily manipulated by his Occlumency techniques.
He'd had a tumultuous past few days, let alone the high emotion of the last couple of hours, and he needed to reign in the sentiments so he could confidently face the Dark Lord knowing the fiend would not be able to manipulate him with his vulnerabilities. He needed to feel sure his secrets would be secure.
Severus also began to wonder just what he had been summoned for.
Would he need to participate in some up-coming scheme or perhaps a Muggle hunt? It was rare he would be asked, considering the need to preserve his cover as spy for the light, but it was not unheard of.
Or perhaps was this just another gathering to forage for any tidbit of information because no news or intelligence had been forthcoming voluntarily for several weeks, as had occurred with some regularity in the past?
Albus had usually ensured Severus was well versed on some current plan or fact regarding the Order that he could share safely with the Dark Lord should the need arise. Dumbledore was reluctant to have Severus specifically discuss Harry Potter, the boy was at risk enough, but on a couple of occasions it had been necessary. And most importantly any knowledge to be imparted was carefully selected to risk largely plans or property, with the utmost care to preserve human life. It had been stressful for Severus, but Dumbledore had prepared him well enough that his conscience and body had so far escaped harsh retribution; only suffering minimal discipline - affectionately dubbed 'encouragement' by the Dark Lord - to date.
What's more, the early timing of the summons (well before curfew at Hogwarts) was curious in itself; Severus was seldom called before eleven o'clock on weekdays during the school term unless it was absolutely imperative and pressing; the Dark Lord knew very well he had Head of House obligations to attend to outside his regular teaching duties and the fiend would not jeopardize his spy's tenure flippantly.
Either prospect left him feeling somewhat apprehensive. He neither wished to participate in, nor witness, the brutality that marked a successful attack or Muggle hunt, but unusually, neither did he have any intelligence of worth from inside the Order of the Phoenix to contribute at this time – for in all honesty they were planning nothing and nothing new had come to light. Depending on the mood of the Dark Lord, Severus might instead be forced to betray a snippet or two of personal information this time to ensure no suspicion fell upon him, or he would simply be compelled to fabricate something to divert the Death Eaters' attentions for the time being – which would in turn require an amount of reality be implemented (as soon as he could get word to the Order) to preserve his credibility. Either way he would not come out of the situation feeling as though he had helped evade disaster… quite the contrary actually. Otherwise his third option would be to supply nothing – in which case he may be 'encouraged' to try harder – not something to look forward to.
There was no point in overanalysing, however, as Severus would determine a course of action once he arrived and assessed things.
Coming to the large iron gates, Severus trudged through the thick, white blanket of fresh snow until he was beyond the Apparition boundary. He clutched at his left forearm and concentrated on the burn of the Dark Mark and spun on the spot with determination. The dark man abruptly Disapparated with a loud crack in a swirling storm of dark flowing fabric.
Severus reappeared in much the same manner outside a dilapidated, old building on a deserted road in what appeared to be the middle of nowhere. After ensuring he'd not attracted the attention of any inadvertent witness he began his trek to the door of the ramshackle estate house.
He knew this location; he recognised it from previous visits in years gone by… though it had not been used in recent times before now. The Dark Lord was obviously going to great lengths to keep his re-birth hush-hush for the time being, and frequently changing his headquarters was a clever strategy to ensure any rumours of sightings or suspicious activity were easily dismissed.
The large, somewhat weathered, old, wooden door loomed portentously before him, and he fought past a sudden wary and niggling sensation to make three sharp raps with his knuckles.
The door swung open only a few moments later… as if someone had been waiting diligently for his arrival. Severus found it slightly disconcerting, but not remarkable; he was most often summoned for a specific reason given his position as spy and therefore his imminent arrival was often anticipated.
"Snape," an oily voice drawled. "Do come in."
Severus nodded in greeting and accepted the invitation.
"Where is he?" he asked, not allowing his trepidation to show outwardly.
"This way," the man ushered, indicating in through another door. "He's waiting."
"Many others?" Severus inquired before moving in the suggested direction. He liked to know as much as possible before he was facing the Dark Lord. Surprises tended to divert his concentration and risk his defences faltering. He was experienced and quite frankly more than competent and therefore the risk was minimal; bit still, he was not infallible.
The cool smile he received in response was not comforting.
"Only a mere few of us this evening," he then said. Severus frowned with unease; his senses sparking fervently with warning signals. "Come," the Death Eater, Macnair, again prompted, with a slight flick of head to encourage movement.
After another small nod Severus moved swiftly into the adjoining room. He noted immediately that any furniture that regularly adorned the fairly large living room had apparently been cleared from their usual location and now lined the walls; creating an open space in the centre of the room. The Dark Lord's throne seat was positioned at the end of the room with the fiend sitting upon it.
In a ring around the edge of the room stood the few others who had evidently been summoned; including Lucius Malfoy, Mulciber, Avery, Nott and startlingly… Fenrir Greyback, who was not a member of the Death Eaters… and even less a confided member of the inner circle as he and the others were.
The circumstances were intriguing… if a little unsettling. What was the Dark Lord planning with this combination of his supporters? These were the 'heavies' of the movement - with the exception of Lucius and himself - and the resulting undertaking would no doubt be aggressive at best and downright brutal at worst.
Out of the corner of his eye Severus saw Macnair join the others in the small circle. Severus then promptly strode up to the evil wizard and immediately kneeled at his feet and bowed his head, making a show of kissing the hem of his Master's robes obediently.
"My Lord," he intoned respectfully.
There was a slight pause before the powerful wizard responded.
"Severus… I trust I did not interrupt your duties… or pleasures… at Hogwarts."
Severus fought another frown of misgiving before raising himself upright in his kneeled position.
'What would the Dark Lord care if I was interrupted of any pleasure?' he wondered, making sure to keep his eyes lowered.
"No, my Lord… I happened to be unengaged at the time of your call," he informed, and even if he had been busy he would never have divulged it to this audience.
The Dark Lord snorted a soft, ironic breath. "Indeed," he drawled, causing Severus to feel even more wary. Several soft snickers from the surrounding circle of men joined the Dark Lord's. Severus' instinct of using extreme caution was screaming at him.
"Do you wonder why you have been called, Severus?" the fiend asked suddenly.
Severus abruptly flicked his gaze up and fixed upon his Master's. "Yes, my Lord… I confess myself curious," he admitted, his expression questioning. He had a very bad feeling about the direction this meeting was rapidly taking.
"I have recently been alighted to certain 'goings on' at Hogwarts… and I too confess myself curious as to why a trusted and essential member of my number would allow himself to be so distracted from his purpose?"
Severus' insides suddenly iced over in dread. What in Merlin's name was the fiend getting at? What had he done wrong?
Without further clues as to his Master's meaning he could not decide on an appropriate response… the ensuing silence was deafening. He had a hard enough time keeping the panic from his expression. He swallowed thickly.
"Still unsure why you are here?" Voldemort asked, his disdainful tone patronising and radiating danger.
Severus hastily urged his mind to think. 'Umbridge…? Is there something the foul woman has incurred at the school that I should have reported? Has some important fact come to light about the boy that I ought to have known and subsequently passed on? Have we another spy in our midst… undermining and counteracting my contribution… or worse?'
He could not come up with any indication or evidence and immediately felt his situation become very dire. Whatever it was, Lord Voldemort had him over a barrel.
"My Lord?" he said with a huff of breath, confusion and alarm oozing out of his voice despite his tight control.
It did not help that the fiend then laughed condescendingly in his face.
"Let me enlighten you then," he offered in a dangerous hiss. "I have had word that you have been… entertaining yourself with your young, attractive charges, Professor Snape. And I cannot say I am happy for you!" the evil wizard hissed angrily.
At the Dark Lord's accusation Severus lost his breath; the metaphoric expression more than clear.
'Oh, Merlin… he means what happened with Aries!' he immediately thought. 'Fuck!'
The Dark Lord continued. "Whilst in general any of your intimate lives are hardly my concern, these particular circumstances raise alarm with me. Your foolhardy and perverse relations with a student threatens the success of my objective. Not to mention your use and continuance as a spy! And you very well know what use I have for those with no use, don't you, Severus?" he warned with smooth menace.
Actually panicking inside now Severus attempted some damage control.
"My Lord… it… it was a one off mistake… it meant nothing!"
The Dark Lord leaned forward into Severus' face abruptly and exploded in fury, "And you think that excuses you… that there cannot be ramifications from one time?"
He was so incensed that Severus flinched away instinctively. The dark man immediately understood he had angered his Master further instead of easing his concerns and for the moment decided to keep his mouth tightly shut.
The Dark Lord pushed sharply to his feet, causing Severus to lean further back to look up at him; resulting in an even more vulnerable position.
"I wonder though… did it really mean nothing to you?" he questioned with a twisted glee, gliding away from the kneeling man, passing in front of each of the other men witnessing Severus' humiliating reprimand.
Severus swallowed again, no longer able to follow the evil wizard with his eyes as the man passed behind him. He fought to control his breaths as his heart pounded in his chest… he dared not comment.
Voldemort soon continued despite the lack of response.
"What has been the outcome? What has Dumbledore said?" he demanded sharply, suddenly close behind Severus. The tiny hairs on the back of his neck stood on end as Severus felt the monster's breath flutter across the hair covering his right ear. He gasped in a quiet breath and bit the inside of his cheek in self-reprimand.
It was obvious the fiend knew all too well that Dumbledore had found out… however, without knowing the source of information Severus still needed to be careful what and how much he revealed. He definitely did not want to be caught out lying… but nor did he wish to divulge more than necessary, for that might enlighten the evil wizard to just how close the Headmaster and himself had become which could incite even more questions along with a few doubts. Severus could not afford any further doubts.
"The Headmaster was not pleased… and had I forced the girl he would have had me instantly dismissed. But it was not the case and she confirmed my version."
Lord Voldemort moved swiftly back into Severus' view.
"Did she now…?" the wizard commented, his red eyes gleaming.
Severus nodded. "I have been punished… and it is to be the end of the matter," he finished.
Voldemort began to chuckle perversely once more and suddenly he was at Severus' other side, lifting his drop of ebony hair that concealed the barely healed welt that crossed his cheek. The dark man forced himself not to flinch at the contact.
"Yes, I see that," he murmured, lightly amused.
"And have you learned your lesson?" he asked, the question, tone and accompanying glare full of menace.
Severus huffed shakily. "Yes, of course. I will not risk my position so frivolously again. It was foolish," he admitted, feeling the most idiotic for allowing the incident to happen now as he'd ever felt.
"Yes, it was! For you have jeopardised more than your position within the school… your thoughtless, self serving actions have threatened the budding trust from Dumbledore that you have spent so many years cultivating… and in doing so have single handedly threatened the success of our cause!"
The Dark Lord was again almost frothing at the mouth with fury.
Severus wanted nothing more than to be able to Disapparate away to safety. But he could not run… he had to wait it out, endure what was to come, humble himself and beg to make things right again. He had no choice… he'd made this mess and it was his duty to fix it… there were greater things on the line here than merely his own well being.
"Dumbledore has forgiven me," he tried to reason, "he will continue to work with me, I assur-"
Voldemort suddenly became violent, brutally shoving the Potions Master backwards to the ground with a furious growl.
Severus gasped and threw his hands out to control his fall. He was terrified now… he'd never seen the Dark Lord so furious with him. His breaths came in shuddering bursts.
"That fool may have forgiven you, but I have not… and I think you have far from learned your lesson, Severus Snape! It is time for the teacher to learn to control his urges… and I'll make the lesson simple. Every time you feel the compulsion to ever do something like this again I want you to remember your time here… that ought to damp down your desire."
Severus was watching the Dark Lord intently, horror growing stronger within him as each word fell from the fiend's lips.
Voldemort then signaled for the others to close in. Severus tried hastily to gain his feet in order to defend himself, but Mulciber and Nott had him pinned to the ground before he could achieve it.
"Don't kill him or main him so badly he cannot function… or it will your lives on the line next," the Dark Lord warned them all.
"Lucius… a word," he added, beckoning the blonde man to him as the hired thugs set to work.
The first blow landed swiftly in Severus' ribs. He groaned deeply but still struggled against their tight hold. He was abruptly dragged to his feet and two more punches impacted with his body knocking him backwards and had him doubling over clutching at his stomach, struggling to draw breath.
As the small gang of Death Eaters came at him again he heard the Dark Lord make a demand of Severus' one time friend.
"Find out who it is, who her family is… I want to know what it is she knows… if anything… and I want to know everything there is to know about this girl who is distracting my spy!"
Severus did not hear anything further as a meaty fist flew straight for his face and thumped him hard in the cheek. The momentum had him careering backwards again where he crashed painfully into the stone wall, bashing the back of his head against the unyielding surface. He dropped straight to the bottom where he was set upon once more, attempting to fend off blow after blow as they pummeled him to what felt like an inch of his life.
Pain exploded at every site he had been hit, which after a few minutes was virtually everywhere. With the exception of grunts and groans with every impact, he remained extraordinarily silent; in far too much pain to beg or scream. Beneath the fog of agony he suspected he had sustained at least a few broken bones.
"You fucking maggot paedophile," one of his attackers bellowed at him, driving another brutal punch into his side which finally drew Severus' voice from his battered frame. He howled in pain when a distinct crack vibrated through his torso.
"That'll teach you, you weasel!" The cruel words brought home to Severus why this group of wizards had forgone the use of magical torture for the brutal Muggle methods. As an apparent paedophile he was unworthy of the dignity of magic… plus some who dealt the retribution received a sadistic satisfaction and release from doling it out by their own hand literally.
To Severus the beating seemed to go on for several more minutes, but in reality the whole event had taken no more than four. He suddenly was aware he was lying prone on the floor, barely able to move and incredulous that he was still breathing at all. One eye was closed completely and the other stung viciously at the corner. He could already envision the struggle and effort it would take to make it back to Hogwarts tonight.
Suddenly and unexpectedly he was flipped onto his stomach by magic. The impact and position had him moaning with discomfort again. He thought they were through, but he was about to discover, horrifically, they had saved the best until last.
Abruptly he felt his outer robes removed forcefully and soon after that he felt his trousers ripped down his hips until his legs were mostly free and his backside bare.
Horrified and dismayed he began to fight in earnest; earning himself a quick and brutal elbow to the nose and the weight of two beefy wizards holding him securely in place.
His voice found him again and he hollered and roared desperately, but deep down he knew it was hopeless. He braced himself for what was about to come.
Severus felt the weight of another man as he quickly pushed his legs wider apart and positioned himself between them. The battered Potions Master was breathing wildly, distressed and dismayed at this horrendous turn of events. He found himself in a place so fraught and stricken that he whispered a pleading word aloud.
"Please...!" he hissed… and the plea was so desperate it was practically a question.
The weight of the man on top of Severus shifted slightly as he stretched himself out over him, and Severus suddenly felt the man's putrid breath exhale over his face.
"You'll always think of this when you're with a woman now, Snape, every time you even think of one of those pretty little girls… you'll always remember me," the gruff voice of Greyback crept over Severus, searing itself into his mind, moments before his attacker drew back slightly and pressed to him at a slightly different angle; his erect manhood piercing Snape's entrance swiftly and roughly, eliciting another gasping howl of pain from the dark man.
Severus screwed his eyes tightly shut, envisioning himself anywhere but here, attempting to shut out what was happening to him. But it was too shocking, too appalling and with every painful stroke into him he moaned in pain and dismay.
After only a few painful thrusts the assault was ended abruptly moments later to a cacophony of roars and bellows of anger, but Severus just remained lying motionless and shocked on the floor, too stunned to react immediately.
The ruckus died down a minute later and the dark man felt his robes spread lightly to cover his exposed legs and backside soon after. The contact spurred him into panicked action; he flipped himself immediately to his back with no regard for his injuries. He groaned harshly and his head swam with the pain and he very nearly lost consciousness.
"Easy, Severus… it's over. I won't allow them to return," Lucius Malfoy assured him, clasping his shoulder in support.
Severus stared at him with the most pained and betrayed expression that almost made Lucius gasp.
He quickly recovered, however. "You brought this on yourself… do not blame me!" he said, excusing himself entirely of any involvement.
Unable and unwilling to deal with the betrayal, hurt and the utter mortification he was feeling about the entire experience, Severus closed his eyes, wishing for an escape… even if it were death.
"Come… I will find you a place to rest before you need return to Hogwarts. You will recover… you're not that bad."
Severus almost laughed at the arrogant, conceited, ignorant pureblood's assessment and braced himself for the imminent, painful expedition to safer territory.
