AN: Sorry about that. I guess I haven't been updating as much as I should. School has been killer. Who knew taking three college courses would be so evil? I probably won't be updating again until I'm done taking my AP Tests which will be the beginning of May. Enjoy though.

Harry Potter and the Snake's Veil

Chapter 09 I'm the New Cancer

In the pristine room, all was quiet except for the small group that lay behind the white curtain barriers.

"So they don't know any cure either?"

"No Minerva. The Healers at St. Mungo's have never seen a spell as complex as this. The only thing they could tell me was that the Headmaster's health is deteriorating slowly, very slowly. They also say it is impossible to wake him up until we know what spell or curse was put on him."

"Severus, has You-Know-Who said anything?"

"No, but I haven't seen him for a while. He has a new project that has been occupying his time…"

"A new… it's not Potter, is it Severus? We haven't heard anything about him since September, it's December for Merlin's sake! Severus you have to know something. You are in his inner circle. In fact, you haven't told us much Severus."

"What are you saying McGonagall? Are you insinuating that I am purposely withholding information?"

"Are you Severus? You didn't even bother to tell Dumbledore that his school was about to be attacked…"

"The Dark Lord is not stupid McGonagall; he has his ways to make sure his plans stay within his family. The Dark Lord…"

"For not really being an Death Eater, you sure do sound like you're one."

Silence. The white curtain was ripped off his pole as heavy boots pounded on the linoleum. The door knob rattled and the door was halfway open before the boots took a few steps back in the room.

"He's alive Minerva, that's all I can say."

Blank eyes stared out over a table of cluttered plates and goblets. They didn't even flinch when a loud bang echoed off the walls.

Wormtail had entered and in his haste had knocked over a House Elf carrying a heavy plate of breakfast.

"My lord…" Wormtail went to the floor in front of Voldemort, who was sipping tea. Harry's eyes shifted to the elf and he watched as the elf hopped about cleaning up the mess and hurrying back to the kitchen. "…Severus Snape has come."

Harry blinked a few times as if shaking off a few cobwebs. 'Filthy traitor. How dare he lie to the Dark Lord. I should kill him.'

Snape swept into the room. Instead of going on all fours, like the sniveling Wormtail, he bowed. "My lord, young master Potter. I have important news for you, Master."

"Then take a seat Severus, have some breakfast. Wormtail, you may leave us."

'Filthy traitor. How dare he pollute the air that the Dark Lord breathes.'

"I thank you my lord. It's been a busy morning." Snape began serving himself some eggs and levitated two pieces of toast onto his plate. His eyes flicked up to Harry's. "I see young master Potter is doing well."

"Mmm," Voldemort murmured while sipping his tea. "Lucius has been training in the dark arts and such. But Severus, the news?"

'Filthy liar. I should kill him.'

Snape looked at Harry's emotionless eyes once more before turning his attention back to the Dark Lord. "Dumbledore has returned from St. Mungo's."

"Yes, a week ago, my dear Severus."

Snape inhaled suddenly allowing a bit of egg to sneak into his trachea. He started coughing and grabbed his tea and quickly took a sip. He coughed once more before continuing, "I'm sorry I did not come earlier m'lord, but McGonagall, the current Headmistress, has been keeping a close eye on me. She isn't as trusting of me as the old fool was. It's been very taxing this past week because we sent the brats all home and had to personally escort them to King's Cross. It was a nightmare…"

Voldemort interrupted, "What of the old fool? Is he plotting my downfall yet?"

"No. He hasn't woken. Dumbledore's dying actually, m'lord. But I'm sure you already knew that." Voldemort smiled thinly. "If I may, what spell did you use?" Snape probed. Voldemort raised an eyebrow. Snape quickly recovered, "Well, the headmistress wants me to brew every potion to see if they work and I don't want to actually cure him, m'lord."

'Traitor. Filth on my robes.'

"Do not fret Severus. No potion can cure him. Only the caster of the spell can undo the harm."

"Brilliant idea, master."

"Thank you Severus. I do have many."

Snape tucked into the breakfast once more. He glanced once again at Harry. The cold glare he receiving was becoming unnerving. Then, he saw something in Harry change. The haunting eyes melted into pools of remorse.

"Help me."

Snape dropped his fork. He turned to Voldemort, who had calmly put his tea down.

Harry slowly got up from the table. He still had that lost look. He glanced at Snape then at Voldemort and went down to his knees. "Master, I'm sorry…"

"Crucio." As Harry's scream rang through the room, Voldemort poured himself another cup of tea. He dropped two cubes of sugar into it and stirred three times. Then, he released Harry from the spell.

Harry remained on the floor, occasionally twitched, and waited for Voldemort to vilify him. He didn't have to wait long.

"My son, have the past few weeks taught you nothing? You embarrass me. Perhaps I have taken your training too lightly." He sent a wisp of a spell out of the room. Lucius came in.

"Yes m'lord?" He bowed to the Dark Lord.

"I think Harry is ready for his lesson today Lucius. A good nice lesson in discipline."

Excitement was evident in Lucius' face. "I shall have the pleasure of teaching young master Potter this."

"Please don't leave any marks Lucius. I would hate it if you were to mar his skin." Sipping his tea, Voldemort added, "And I will join you toward the end."

"I would be honored if you would Master."

Voldemort turned to Harry. "Get out of my sight. I would hope you could pick something up today."

Harry got up and bowed to Voldemort and followed Lucius out of the room.

Snape still sat there, trying to figure out what the hell just happened.

The thick oak door swung open; as Harry was pushed in, he stumbled to the floor and the door slammed shut, locking itself. Tremors racked Harry's body and his legs refused to work properly. Sirius ambled over and laid his head in Harry's lap.

"Merlin Sirius, I almost screwed everything up. Snape came for breakfast and I wanted to kill him for being a traitor. He kept looking at me and I… I snapped. I ask for his help…" Harry closed his eyes. "But isn't that good? I don't know anymore; I'm so confused Sirius…"

He wrapped his arms around himself. Luckily, Voldemort hadn't bothered rebreaking Harry's arm. 'Suppose he thought two Cruciatus curses at once would suffice.' He breathed in deeply trying to fight the demons in his head.

His green eyes snapped open. Sirius sat up, barking once. "What am I doing here? I'm not one of his Death Eaters! I refuse to be his puppet."

Feeling the most awake since his capture, Harry gripped the bed behind him and hoisted himself up. He let the tremors pass and walked a few steps.

For the last few weeks, Harry had been immersed in the Dark Arts; he mastered non-verbal spells within two days and wandless magic in one week, 'Voldemort wants a powerful heir, I'll give him one.'

"Flabra!"

The oak door blasted off its hinges and crashed into the wall opposite. Harry walked out of the room, Sirius close behind.

"Stay with me," he told his godfather as he took off running down the corridor.

He mentally tried to remember the path Wormtail had dragged him through on the night he was branded. The torches lit his pathway as he turned the corner.

"Young master Potter, I wasn't aware you were allowed to wander without an escort." Avery questioned. "Does the Dark Lord…"

'Silencio.'

The rest of Avery's sentence was cut off. He glared at Harry and began walking toward the teen, his wand raised. Harry threw out his hand and sent Avery flying into the wall. Avery's back made hard contact with the stone wall. Before Avery could slide down it, the wall turned a liquid-like substance and Avery started being absorbed, until only his hands, feet and face remained, his eyes darting around.

"You add such a flair of décor around here."

Harry continued down the hallway, reaching the stairs leading down to the ground level. He flew down the steps two at a time. At the bottom he found himself in a study. Rain pelted the windows; Harry had to squint at the first "sunlight" he had seen since September 1st.

"Come on Sirius, there must be someway to get out…" he trailed off as the door opened and Wormtail walked through. Harry stood shell-shocked.

Wormtail looked up and dropped the tray he was holding. "Potter, how did you escape? Stupefy!"

Harry dodged the spell by rolling on the ground. He leaned against a lounge chair, breathing calmly. He sensed the rat nearing him; Harry could smell the sweat rolling off the servant. Lucius had trained him in combat; he must disarm his opponent among other things.

Harry stood up from behind the chair, a cruel smile danced on his face. Wormtail went to cast another spell but Harry raised his hand and brought his index finger and thumb together. Wormtail went dumb. Harry laughed and cried, "Expelliarmus!"

Wormtail flew across the room crashing into a wall. His wand scattered a few feet away. Harry began walking toward Wormtail, his eyes as hard as a diamond but lacked any sparkle. Wormtail went for his wand as Harry lunged at him, stealing a punch in the surprised Wormtail's face. Blood spurted like a geyser as Harry kicked out into the fleshy mass that was Peter Pettigrew, betrayer of the Marauders, betrayer of his parents. He lashed out a few more times, tears intermingling with blood. Harry would've never stopped the assault if Sirius hadn't barked, snapping Harry out of his rage.

Harry stepped back from the pathetic lump. "Let's go Sirius." With that, he turned his back on Wormtail and began walking out.

In the course of his seven years as a Marauder, Wormtail was only better than James, Sirius, and Remus at one thing: a nonverbal trip charm. Harry never saw it coming as Wormtail rolled over and gripped his wand and quietly sent the charm at the teen. Unfortunately for Harry, as Wormtail tripped him, he was in front of a table. The front of his head made contact with the corner.

A thin trickle of blood rolled down Harry's face as he lay on the ground dazed. His head began throbbing but that was nothing in comparison to the sudden searing pain that flooded his scar. He cried out as Voldemort strode through the door.

He walked over the whimpering Wormtail to the withering Harry. Voldemort grabbed Harry's hair and pulled him off the floor. "What did I tell you Harry? Did I not warn you what would happen if you crossed me again? I have given you so much my son; I gave you life."

"My master, I am sorry for my actions…"

"Don't interrupt me!" Voldemort screamed as he jerked back Harry's head. "If you were any normal Death Eater, you'd be dead. But, since you are my heir I shall hold off that notion for a little while. What do you have to say for yourself Harry?"

Harry's vacant gaze met Voldemort. "I allowed my emotions to surface m'lord. It won't happen again. I am ready to commit myself to your teachings." Voldemort released him from his grip. Harry sank to the cold granite below.

Voldemort turned to Wormtail who was still bleeding all over the floor. "It's no doubt that the tripping jinx I smell is yours. You shall be rewarded soon my servant." He flicked his wand and the blood stopped flowing. "Now clean up your mess."

Through his broken nose, Wormtail tried to mutter a thanks but found his voice still gone. He glared at Harry who sent him a sadistic smile in return.

Voldemort had already returned to Harry. Gently helping him up, Voldemort whispered into his ear, "I have a gift for you, my heir."

"A gift Master?"

"Come and follow me."

-Anaticulapraecantrix, 2006