"Well done."

The bushes ahead of Sirius rustled as several figures emerged. A tall man with flowing blond mane – the unmistakable stature of Lucius Malfoy – lead the pack. He growled inwardly when Lucius smiled coldly, his walking cane tapping onto the slightly moist forest floor. The other Death Eaters dispersed into a loose circle around them. The atmosphere went ominously silent until the monk dug his heel deeper into Snape, provoking a growl.

"Let him up," Lucius drawled, pointing the tip of his cane to Snape.

The monk grabbed his captive by the front of his robes and shoved him up against the nearest tree. Snape's eyes peeled open, assessing the situation he was in. As Lucius approached him, he stilled. He was tired, very tired, and he could feel his consciousness slipping like water between smooth river pebbles. Yet he steadied himself against the Death Eater's stare, even when his legs had threatened to give way. A sense of alertness burst into him when the monk hooked his arms under both his armpits, locking his movements and Lucius' sneering visage occupied the whole of his vision.

"The Dark Lord was most disappointed."

Then haze seemed to sink in again and Snape's attention plunged. His eyelids slid shut for a split second and Lucius immediately caught him painfully by the back of his hair, yanking his head back.

"I am disappointed in you, Severus," Lucius spat out vehemently. "I sided with you when the Dark Lord mocked your loyalty and love for that woman. I defended you, said that even men like us needed a family. Like how I have Cissy and Draco. The Dark Lord hoped that after her death, you would move on and continue to serve him with utmost faithfulness."

Snape looked Lucius squarely in the eyes. He challenged, "What did you say to the Dark Lord, Lucius? That lesser wizards need support and companions, so unlike him who stands alone, strong though friendless?"

Sirius could not hear Snape's words for they were uttered so quietly, but he did catch the sickening dull thud of callous fist colliding painfully with ribs. He heard Snape retch.

"He does not trust you yet, Severus. Not completely. The Dark Lord is under the impression that your love for her may unhinge your loyalty to him."

Snape took a shaky inhale, "He tells you all these?"

"Yes," Lucius deliberated, "but not who this woman is, regrettably. I remember all the things you've done for the clan, Severus," said Lucius, one hand pulling back at Snape's black hair again, "but what you're attempting now," and he suddenly took hold of Snape's left forearm and rolled the sleeves up, "is making me very angry."

Sirius had no idea what a little bit of hand-holding between Death Eaters would do and was just as perplexed as he was disturbed when Snape let out a sudden, guttural scream. All the Death Eaters seemed to be engrossed in the scene unfolding before them that none even seemed to notice as Sirius started inching for his wand that had fallen just a short distance away. Lucius was still clasping Snape's forearm.

"You think stealing my glory will restore the Dark Lord's favour in you?"

Snape gave a weak chuckle, "Is that what you're getting at?"

"Don't take me for a fool!"

Snape was thrown onto the ground again. He landed messily beside Sirius.

"Nothing matters anymore Severus, because I think Sirius Black in flesh is good enough an atonement for your foolishness!"

That, Sirius had expected. Before the pack of Death Eaters could turn their wands onto him, he whipped his own in a perfect circle and up, dust and dry leaves swirl in a whirl of wind. Visions now obstructed, Sirius summoned Snape's wand that had landed somewhere near the tree where he was held up against just minutes ago and reached blindly for Snape. A Stunning spell just missed his foot by inches and Sirius swore in the din. One would have hit him in his face if someone had not just lunged for him and tackled him to the ground.

"Now!" Snape, now lying on top of a befuddled Sirius, shouted.

Lucius waved his wand in one violent sweep and the wall of debris parted, leaving the air around them pristine again. Too pristine indeed; there were no more signs of the two wizards anywhere.

The two wizards slammed into jagged stone floors and groaned at the impact. Sirius quickly clambered to his feet, wild and mildly disoriented. He had instinctively thought of the next coordinates in Lupin's list and he supposed this was where they were now. He strained his ears for any unwelcomed presences and upon finding none, his shoulders slacked easily. The sneak attack the Death Eaters had arranged for them had shamefully derailed him somewhat. He bit his lower lips in frustration. He had not been in any serious wizard battles in ages and just when it mattered… how he dearly wished he could have done some serious damage to Lucius Malfoy.

Then he thought of Snape. He whisked around, finding Snape crouching with one hand resting against the wall. He spat bloody phlegm and wiped the edge of his mouth with his black sleeves. He neither moved nor made any effort to talk, only kept eerily still and his forehead onto the cool wall. Sirius left him be. He walked the perimeter of the construction they were in, noticing the roof that was falling apart and some parts of the walls that seemed to have been blasted away. There were however, four sturdy pillars that were probably the only things that were keeping this shack upright; them painted red hinted to Sirius that this used to be a red temple. A rack of dusty idols hidden beneath a pile of rubble confirmed his suspicions.

By nightfall, Sirius had gotten a small smoke-free campfire up. He had also cast every single protective charm he knew over the four walls around them, hoping no nosy folks, Muggle or magical, would stumble upon their hiding place. He glanced at Snape once in a while, slightly disconcerted at the idea of someone hiding in the shadows making no moves or sounds. It almost seemed like Azkaban where he knew but could not see someone lurking there, watching him.

And indeed Snape was watching Sirius. He had no more strength left in him to fight off anyone and from this angle, should Sirius even so much as pick his wand and point it at his direction... He had no doubt that after all Sirius had heard from Lucius, there was going to be more uncertainties about his true allegiance. He would not be surprised if Sirius concluded that he showed up at Grimmauld Place with this elaborate plan to lure Sirius out to the Dark Lord. Sirius after all, was a member of the Order; a rich source for information since his mind was locked to all others. Inaccessible to even the Dark Lord; Snape felt a sick pride welled inside him.

And then, sleep welcomed him with open embrace.