Nobody had seen hide nor hair of Severus Snape since his abrupt return from Hogsmede. Not even Remus Lupin, whom the students had been rumoring was going in and out of the man's private quarters at least two times a day all week, had any idea where the man had gone off to. Not that Lupin went looking for him. He had the distinct impression that Snape needed some serious alone time.
That, for the God's honest truth, was exactly what the dark wizard needed. Severus was currently sitting on a high stool in front of an empty cauldron. His palms itched to hold the sharp paring knife that set beside it. On the shelf behind were various corked bottles that held everything from mayfly wings to monkshood blooms. Each magically refilled themselves from his storeroom. It made it much easier to get that needed piece for a potion when timing was important.
The cutting board beside it was barren. The wood was stained from years of extensive use. He remembered once as an apprentice being berated for not using a slab of marble or granite. All manner of mess comes clean from rock, but wood could absorb any amount of moisture given time. His professor had been quite adamant that he was incapable of cleaning the wooden board well enough so that he did not taint his potions. Severus had proven him wrong and excelled beyond the man's own expectations.
Snape looked across the small workroom space. It was part of his own quarters, but still hidden to even the most well trained eye. He, himself, had made sure when he entered the room he could not easily see where the entrance was. Potions were a tricky business, the last thing he needed was a meddlesome student sneaking into his rooms and fiddling with his stores.
For most of his life he would turn to his cauldron for solace and comfort. There was something about doing something with himself that eased his stress and helped him think. The potions he created were the only things that he had any control over. He certainly didn't over any other aspect of his life, but if there was any one thing he would contest, it would be his ability to out perform anyone with his skill.
Sadly, the pot still remained empty. Much like his stomach felt at the moment; his whole insides for that matter. He hadn't bothered to perfect his story. Tonight he would tell Voldemort exactly what had happened, and if he failed to die on the stones and still had strength to return to Hogwart's, Dumbledore would be short one spy.
His heart gave a sick clench at the thought. He would never do anything to disappoint Albus, not intentionally. Snape thought about telling Albus of his intentions, but he could picture the disappointment on the headmaster's face even as the man would try to hide it. If he were to see that look before he left, he wouldn't have the heart to try and return much less fight to stay alive.
Over the mantle in his chambers, a small clock chimed merrily. It was seven o'clock. The mark along the inside of his arm burned lightly. Severus ignored it. Voldemort was sending out reminders. He still had two hours before he would be called.
Someone was knocking on his door. Snape tore his eyes from the cauldron and walked to his entry. There was some quiet, one-sided conversation on the other side. He was hardly surprised to see Lupin on the other side with supper.
"Hello, Severus." A timid smile flickered on Remus' face.
Snape didn't respond, only stepped from the wolf's way and walked quietly to his chair. The fire was crackling in front of him, and just as every other time, Severus found himself sucked into the dancing flames.
Remus watched him as he set out the food. The man was pale--more so than usual--and the hollows of his cheeks and eyes looked farther sunk into his skull. To be quite honest, the wolf was growing seriously worried. He wasn't sure if the man's pallor and temperament were part of his long healing process, or if there was something else that was torturing the potions master. He wanted to ask, really did, but was sure Severus would never answer. And then if the man surprised him and did, they would be evasive answers that would only leave him pondering further for the man's health.
"How is Potter's bird?"
Lupin stared at Severus a moment before he answered. "Hedwig is doing better. We owled ahead to a shop along Diagon Alley and they got a tonic made up for her."
Severus snorted, a slight quirk to the corner of his lips. "Anything for the Golden Boy."
Remus bristled slightly, ready to take up Harry's defense but calmed himself. He stared at Severus' profile and set his face into grim lines. Severus would know better than himself about just what sacrifices were made for the sake of one Harry Potter.
"Are you hungry, Severus?" Lupin busied himself. He was pretty sure Snape wasn't, but it would make him feel better if Severus would attempt to eat something.
Snape shook his head, then curled his lip when a plate was all but shoved under his nose anyway. A pile of something, presumably edible, sat looking wholly unappetizing. "What is this, Lupin?"
Remus looked up from his plate where he had been stirring the same contents into circles with his fork. A small smile curled Remus' lips, "I had a craving for tortierre, but I don't think the house elves got it quite right."
Severus snorted, "If you don't mind," he started, voice thick with sarcasm, "I would prefer a nourishment potion."
Remus frowned, mulling it over. However, the stern look on Severus face and the twitching of the man's left eye told him that Snape wasn't asking, he was telling. With a sigh, Remus stood and paused beside Severus' chair. "Where are they then?"
A smirk curled Snape's lip for a moment at his success. "The cabinet behind the desk. The blue vial."
Remus easily found it and brought it to Severus, still perturbed that Snape wouldn't eat. He helped the potions master drink his supper, and then gave him his medication. When he returned to his seat, he felt oddly out of place. There was no reason for him to stay if Severus was not eating. After fidgeting with his plate for a few minutes, Remus finally stood and gathered together the dishware he had brought with him.
Severus watched him flit about. He wasn't about to ask the lycanthrope to stay because the man was uncomfortable sitting in his rooms. Remus was opening the door with his shoulder when he paused and turned back.
"Severus, did you still want me to retrieve that bottle for you?" He looked slightly confused.
Snape thought for a moment, remembering the fire whisky. After a moments hesitation he nodded, "Yes."
The wolf scrunched up his face in confusion. "But, you're here, Severus."
Severus let out a hard laugh, not noticing Remus flinch. "Oh, I'll be going out shortly."
"Right." Lupin frowned, eyeing Severus carefully. He backed out of the room, letting the door swing shut with a solid thump.
The fire popped and hissed as resin dripped onto the stone hearth. The mantle clock clicked and chimed the half-hour. Severus rose from his chair and sat behind his desk. On the top rested several sheets of parchment, along the top of each was the Snape crest. Below it the beginning of his will was written in tight, spidery scratches.
His wand wobbled where it was set between the heels of his hands. He pointed it at his quill and whispered his incantation, satisfied when it popped up and waited for him to dictate. He spoke in quiet murmurs, letting the scratching of the quill tip ease his tension even as he gave away what few worldly possessions he owned.
He had just finished his draft, three full pages of tiny scrawl later, when the mantle clock chimed 9 o'clock. As if on cue, the dark mark on his arm burned and sizzled in his skin. With a grimace and a grunt he pushed himself from his chair and got together his death eater robe and mask. He was standing in the Forbidden Forest ten minutes later, oddly at peace knowing that his will would find its way to Albus within seconds of his death.
It was his only comfort as he apparated away.
Riddle Manor stood bleak and desolate in the evening light. Even though the sky was clear of clouds the half-full moon and thousands of brilliant stars failed to illuminate the area. It was as though the whole area was void of light--both literally and metaphorically.
Severus walked the stretch between the main gates and the front doors, ignoring the slight pop of other death eaters as they apparated or port-keyed in. The uneven stairs looked like crooked teeth leading toward a gaping mouth where the doors stood swung open, hanging haphazardly by broken hinges. Any other night, and throughout the entire day, the doors would be shut. The only time the busted and dry-rotting barriers stood open were on the eve of meetings. In a way, it seemed lewd for them to sit unobtrusive, especially when one knew what hellish evil lived within.
As he passed, Snape could hear murmurs of whispers as eyes trailed his movement. His hands were conveniently buried in the layers of robes around him. That at least would not feed the gossip mongers. Unfortunately, most of them knew he should have something in his hands this night; a certain feathered something to be exact.
An echoing eternity--or perhaps a split second--later, Severus approached the final set of doors that would lead into Voldemort's throne room. Inside, several death eaters had already gathered, he pointedly ignored the stares that bore into him. The remainder walked in minutes later, one or two at a time, until the entire circle had finally arrived.
The inner circle stood in silence as their lord glared at them. Most of them could tell that Snape didn't have the owl and some of them feared for him, the others--the greater majority, in fact--feared only for themselves from the repercussions of Voldemort's increased anger.
Snape could see Lucius out of the corner of his eye and he felt his anger spike. Who knew what Lucius had told Voldemort over their recent conversations. If the dark lord had had any questions of where Snape's allegiances had lain before, he would absolutely have them now. The anger fell away quickly when Voldemort stood. It didn't matter if Lucius had told Voldemort anything, he still didn't have Potter's owl and he was a dead man.
A slow, excruciating death at that.
Riddle walked in agonizingly slow circles, always drawing closer and closer to the front lines of the death eaters. Finally, with a snap of robes he paused in front of Severus and snarled. "Severus."
The potions master dropped to his knees, kissing the hem of the dark lord's robes and strengthening his occulemency. A boney hand ruffled through Severus' hair and he steeled himself not to grimace.
"It ssseems to me, that you are missing one important thing, Severus." Riddle's tone grew cold and the hand in his hair tightened. Snape closed his eyes, feeling the last moments of his life slide past him.
He felt the others around him step back and he allowed himself a sick smile. Riddle's wand tip pressed into the flesh of his neck and for a moment the end began to heat. Snape closed his eyes. And the end...
"My lord," A strong voice spoke quietly and Riddle paused, the wand was removed from Snape's neck and he silently cursed the other knowing that the interruption was only going to drag out his death longer.
To Severus' surprise, Riddle released him entirely and stalked around him to the man that spoke. "What is it, Lucius?"
Snape stiffened, only guessing at what the platinum blond was about to tell their lord to send him into a fit of rage.
"Severus does not have Potter's owl because I've killed it."
The potions master forced his head not to snap around to stare at Lucius. His mind raced, wondering what Lucius could gain from such a blatant lie. Then it wandered to what Lucius would demand of him in return. This was the largest piece of blackmail next to proof he was on the side of light.
Riddle spun on his heel to stare down at Severus prone form, still unmoved on the stone floor. "Is this true Severus?"
Snape didn't know what to say. He could deny it and get both of them killed, or claim it was true and watch Lucius die... He ground his teeth. Even though Lucius was an evil bastard--and knowing that blackmail would follow--he couldn't put the man to death.
A hand fell back onto his head and combed through his hair. Severus cringed. Riddle sighed, "Your silence speaks bounds, Severus. Your loyalty to your fellow death eaters is commendable. However, I asked you a direct question." The hand in his hair was gone and from the corner of his eye, Severus saw Riddle's wand pointed at him again.
"For your reluctance to answer. Crucio!"
Severus hissed through his teeth, body falling to the stones. He managed to twist and fall on his side instead of on his hands. He didn't have time to congratulate himself on it, the fire under his skin kept him preoccupied.
The curse was lifted, and Severus lay sweating on the stones. Riddle stepped over him and stood in front of Lucius. The Malfoy lord fell to his knees, long hair sweeping the filthy floor as he postured for Voldemort.
"Explain yourself, Lucius, before I flay you," Riddle's voice was cold and grating. One red eye was twitching and his wand was pointed unwaveringly at Lucius' head.
"I checked on Severus' progress as you commanded. I believed that it was not going as well as you would have liked, my lord, and I did what I thought best for our success." Lucius' voice did not waver, and even to Severus' pained mind he was mildly impressed at how well the man could speak so calmly with a wand tapping his skull.
"You are evading the question, Lucius, and trying my patience." Voldemort hissed, kicking Lucius in the ribs.
The Malfoy lord crumpled to the stones, only to raise himself back to his knees a moment later. "Forgive me, my lord." There was a slight wheeze to Lucius' words that told of at least one broken rib. "I poisoned the bird, only wanting it ill so that Potter would bring it to Diagon Alley. There I could easily get the bird. I misjudged the potency of the poison, instead of making the bird ill, it was killed."
Riddle was trembling in anger. The air in the room crackled with magic as the dark lord stepped toward him. "You did all this without telling Severus or myself?"
"No, my lord. Forgive me, my lord." Lucius bowed, forehead touching the cold stones.
A boot caught Malfoy in the face, rolling him over twice. Blood poured freely from behind Malfoy's mask, staining his hair a deep crimson. Voldemort stood over him, feet on either side of Lucius' head. "Your sudden incompetence has me worried, Lucius. Perhaps you are growing too bold and comfortable in your position."
Lucius gurgled, eyes wild behind his mask. Severus still knelt, composed as calmly as he had ever been even with the highly curious turn the meeting had taken. A cold hand gripped him tightly by the arm and pulled him to his feet. Voldemort eyed his face carefully, red eyes probing for a long minute for the dark lord turned away.
"All of you, get out. I must have a 'discussion' with Lucius." Voldemort turned back to the figure on the floor. All those behind him moved quickly for the exits, just barely able to keep their gossiping tongues from wagging before they got out he doors. Severus was much slower than the others, aching body moving steadily nonetheless.
"Wait at the door, Severus." Voldemort called back over his shoulder. "I'm not finished with you yet."
Snape's jaw clenched and he nodded stiffly. He was the last out of the cracked oak closure, and when he had made it through, the door swung shut behind him with a solid thud. Severus stood against the stone wall beside the door, ignoring the looks from others in the hall as they passed.
Trying not to think of what Voldemort was sure to do to him once he had finished with Lucius, Severus instead concentrated on the rough stone at his back. The cold permeated through the thickness of his robes and sent gooseflesh prickling his skin. Inside the door, he could barely hear the muffled voices as Lucius undoubtedly told further lies. There was sudden silence, and Snape could hear several soft thumps and see the soft glow of curses glowing from the crack under the door.
There was a scuffling and satisfied laugh that made Severus shudder. The door beside him swung open and Severus stiffened. From inside the room he could hear rough breathing, a ruffling of breath punctuated by stiff wheezes now and then.
"Come inside, Severus." A cool, contented voice called.
Snape walked stiffly inside, falling to his knees at Voldemort's feet. A dagger glinted in the torch light as it swung lazily in front of Severus' face, strands of spun gold falling from the edges. The tip touched under his chin, cold and calculating like the man that held it. Snape raised his head as the blade tip forced his face up and a moment later Riddle was smiling sickly down at him.
"Lucius tells me that you have not healed entirely from our last encounter."
Snape nodded carefully, fully aware that the dagger edge was starting to sting as the edge pricked his skin.
"Show me." Riddle snapped.
Raising his hands slowly, Severus allowed the robes to fall back, showing the tightly bandaged messes that were his hands. With a raised brow and crooked grin, Riddle reached for his right hand with the hand that did not wield the dagger. Snape did not grimace, amazed at how lightly Voldemort's touch was to his bandages. The dagger slipped from his chin, and before Severus could think to be relieved, the edge was cutting down through the gauze of his wrappings.
Severus clenched his eyes shut, not wanting to see what Riddle would do. "Open your eyes, Severus." Riddle spat. Forcing his eyes open, Snape stared pointedly at the wall behind Voldemort, refusing to look at his hands. The cold blade touched his palm, almost immediately the pain flared in Snape's skin.
Voldemort drug the blade up, slicing through the material, not bothering to be careful when the cotton bunched and snagged now and then. A minute later, the gauze had been cut free and fell to the floor in ribbons. Fresh cuts along Snape's palm and fingers welled with blood where it pooled lazily in his palm before spilling to the stones. Riddle examined the grotesquely bent and broken fingers. They were all still swollen three sizes larger than they should have been.
"Does it hurt, Severus?" Riddle bent at the waist, sticky breath blowing across Snape's ear. Severus quivered, too busy biting his tongue to keep from screaming, he nodded. "Do I have to unwrap the other as well?"
Snape shook his head violently and croaked, "No, my lord. It-it hurts."
A flat palm patted his cheek in a paternal manner. Snape was grateful for the layer of mask between Riddle's hand and his face.
"I forget how fragile you are, Severus." Voldemort sighed out, fingers combing through Snape's stringy hair. "Help Lucius to the doors. We are finished. For now."
Snape nodded, puzzling a moment. He'd forgotten Lucius was still in the room. When he stood, Severus saw the Malfoy lord against the far wall in a heap. When he dared glance back to where Voldemort had stood, he was relieved to see the man had gone.
He made it Malfoy, mind making a mental note that there were clumps of bloody hair along the cracks in the floor. "Lucius," he croaked. Malfoy shifted, but did not turn toward him. "Lucius you need to get up."
A low moan escaped the lump before him and Snape sneered. "Get up! I cannot lift you."
The heap shifted again, a stifled groan slipping through clenched teeth. Lucius managed to push himself to his hands and knees, head drooping toward the stones. Blood ran freely from his lips, flicking the wall as his ragged breath blasted out.
Using the wall for support, Malfoy finally made it to shaking legs. Snape stared openly, face set in a stoic mask, even though he knew it was hidden behind one already. Where Lucius' platinum hair used to hang over his shoulders, there was no hair to be seen but for a few strays that had missed the dark lord's wrath. The whole mass of it had been sheered away in chunks.
"Come on." Snape motioned for Lucius' arm. Malfoy glared at him from beneath his mask and swung his arm lazily up where it fell across Severus' shoulders with a thump. Hissing at the man, Snape started forward, mindful of the exaggerated limp in Lucius' step.
It's his bad leg. Snape noted absently. The cane that followed with Malfoy wherever the man went was not just a ploy. An injury early in his career as a death eater had shattered his patella. Even with magical healing the wizard never walked the same again. Fortunately for him, Malfoy had pleased Voldemort greatly with his stunt and how well he had recovered. Unfortunately, Voldemort remembered everyone's weaknesses down to the smallest detail and knew how to exploit them to his extreme advantage.
The stairs were hell for both of them. Snape's right hand was throbbing so badly that spots were clouding his vision and beating in time to the throbs. Lucius was gasping for breath as they made it to the top and the limp in his leg had changed yet again. Now he seemed to be dragging it behind him and using the wall and Severus to pull himself along.
A weird sense of deja vu washed over Snape from the last meeting. Only this time it was he helping Lucius as the man struggled through the Manor. The beaten doors were in front of them and Severus breathed deeply of the fresh air.
He hurried Malfoy up a step, wanting away from Riddle Manor as fast as possible. Growling, Malfoy tried valiantly to match his step but stumbled and fell down the crooked front steps, hitting the gravel with a skidding crunch. Snape stumbled forward, falling to his knees and managing to keep free of falling completely down by sheer luck.
Malfoy gurgled in the dirt, a fresh spew of blood staining the mask. Knees screaming and getting warm with blood, Snape moved toward him without standing. When he hovered over Lucius he saw that Malfoy was close to falling unconscious.
"Malfoy. Get up. We're almost to the gate."
He rolled painfully onto his side as Severus watched. When he was sure Lucius was making an effort, Snape stood, scowling at the fresh cuts down his shins and the holes in the pants Remus had bought for him. He reached down to help Lucius stand but remembered too late that his hands wouldn't help. So he stooped, curling his arm around Malfoy's back to anchor him as the man struggled to stand.
Five strained and painful steps brought them to the gate. As soon as the wards snapped around them and let them free, Snape turned to face Malfoy. He didn't know what to do with the broken wizard. He was still confused about Lucius' actions. An answer was given to him a moment later as Lucius fumbled shakily in his pocket. It came back with a silver bead clutched in it. Lucius' eyes caught Severus' just as the port-key activated and whisked the man away.
Severus stared into the empty space where Lucius' had stood bleeding, mind whirling. With a shake of the head and a clarifying stab of pain his hands he apparated away from Riddle Manor and back to the safety of Hogwart's.