Too Deep

Dedicated to Miss Kati. I adore thee—and I am so glad you are enjoying this story.

To all SS19 fans; please follow me on Twitter (MissS19). The Dark Lord commands it! And...I hear he can turn rather nasty if he is disobeyed...heh heh.


Chapter 11: Spy Action

Severus watched the Dark Lord pace in front of him. His throat was dry, and it was hard to swallow. He was fighting to keep his breathing level—but he would not show fear. If this was to be his end, then he would meet it with as much nobility and dignity as the situation warranted. He liked how that sounded so confident in his head. Unfortunately, he was also very aware of how dangerous and perverted the Dark Lord could be. He would have to fight to keep his life—and his position—safe.

"I must say, Severus, I am surprised. I did not think you could stand to be in the same room as Harry Potter...let alone teach him the intimate art of Occlumency."

Severus raised his eyes. "As I explained, my Lord, it was Dumbledore's suggestion."

"Yes, you say that. I understand that. What I want to know is...why would you concede?" Voldemort turned and faced Severus, folding his arms. "Choose your words carefully, Severus, for I am rather angry...which means I am willing to make you pay for your actions."

He took a deep breath in before continuing. "My Lord, no harm can come to Potter whilst he is under Dumbledore's protection. What else could I do?"

"You were given access to Harry Potter, alone, asked to invade the inner corners of his mind—and you chose to help him?" The tone was low—and threatening.

"I saw nothing of any worth, my Lord."

"And as I have explained to you, Severus, I see something of very little worth before me now. Tell me...why should I spare you? You have been nothing but a failure as of late."

"There is a reason for that!" The words had left his mouth before he could stop to think and formulate them properly.

Voldemort took a step forward. "I beg your pardon?"

Severus wasn't sure how to rectify this situation—so instead of trying to retract his words, he cast his eyes down to the floor in what he hoped was a show of modesty.

Unfortunately, Voldemort had realised what Severus was referring to. "Oh." He murmured, raising one hand. "You are referring to my recent treatment of you, of course."

"You have yet to give me a good reason why..." He knew his words were thoughtless, but if he was going to die here, then so be it. He had always been the one to speak his mind to the Dark Lord—and the things that Voldemort had done to him recently were beyond understanding or reasoning.

Voldemort looked at him for a long moment. "Because...I wanted to?" He answered. "What right do you have to question my decisions, Severus? You are my servant—you obey my command." He reached for his wand. "I was bored, Severus. I feel trapped here—and I needed power. I get that when someone submits to me. Which you have—and shall continue to do so—until I decide that I am weary of you."

Hatred, hot and fiery, thundered through his veins. How dare the Dark Lord use him in such a way? He had torn Severus to pieces, tested vile potions on him that had altered his concepts of reality and life, forced him to plead for mercy and degrade himself in ways that he could not understand. He was so angry, he could destroy the Dark Lord where he stood.

"Does that infuriate you?" Voldemort teased. "Knowing that what I did was for entertainment purposes alone? I tell you, Severus, you made a fine opponent—but every man has his breaking point. Have we reached yours?"

"I am in your service, my Lord." Severus fought to keep his voice level. He had to think of the greater good, he had to think of what he was going to achieve, he had to think of Dumbledore and the need for them to win this war.

"Yes you are. Does that give me the right, therefore, to treat you in such a way? Does that give me the right to touch you in the way that I have? Does that give me the power to force you to beg me not to hurt you? You are servant, Severus—but does that mean that you are mine completely?"

Severus felt his jaw tighten—he shouldn't be letting the words get to him, but the memories were too much.

"You know the answer I am looking for." Voldemort folded his arms.

"No. You do not have that right." Severus answered. "No one has that right."

"Not even your precious Dumbledore?" Voldemort was making a direct challenge. "Tell me, Severus, does your loyalty lie in my camp—or in his? Helping Potter with Occlumency. I doubt you, Severus."

Severus looked away.

"Oh. He does not know, does he? He does not know what you have been through. He does not know what I have been—am—doing to you." He leaned forward. "And you are afraid of what he will think...of you...should you tell him." He smiled, a cruel and hideous smirk. "I suppose that means you really are at my mercy, after all."

Severus leapt to his feet, pulling his wand from his pocket and pointing it at the Dark Lord. "I am not at your mercy."

"Yes, you are." Voldemort did not draw his own weapon. "What now? Will you attempt to kill your master, servant?"

Severus' hand shook. "You are twisted."

"Strike me, Severus, and I will make your life unbearable. How much further can you go?"

"I could kill you." Severus responded, "I could destroy you."

"You belong at my feet. That we both know. You do not belong with Dumbledore, who is blinded—he has not noticed how hurt you are—what sort of man is that? You are not loyal to him, Severus."

"The things you have done..."

"To you?"

Severus did not answer, narrowing his eyes.

"I was beginning to think you enjoyed my attention."

"No!" Severus waved his wand—fire erupted from the end—which the Dark Lord deflected almost casually. He slashed his hand, and suddenly it seemed as though the floor was pulled from beneath Severus' feet. He hit the ground on his hands and knees—the Dark Lord was there in a moment, kicking him in the ribs and forcing him to roll onto his back. He stamped his foot carelessly into Severus' stomach, causing the other to recoil. "Not your most intelligent move of the night, Severus." Voldemort whispered harshly.

He picked up Severus' wand, pressing it to Severus' neck, kneeling next to him. "Why would you do that, Severus? Attack me? Did you think you would win?"

Severus shook his head. "No."

"Desperation, then." He brushed Severus' hair back from his cheek, "I didn't know you would fall apart so easily." He let his wand rest against Severus' chest, above his heart. "You would be so easy to kill, Severus. Just a mortal." He paused. "Will you plead for your life?"

"No."

"You deny me that privilege? This is foolish, Severus. As your master, I own that right." He smiled, leaning down so he could whisper into his ear. "And now...you will be punished..."


And...that's where you come in. Yes...you. In a review, please leave your suggestions for just how Voldemort decides to punish Severus...and the best suggestion will be written into the next chapter. You have until Sunday morning. Good luck—I cannot wait to see what you come up with...