Too Deep

Chapter Twenty:

"…My Lord…?"

Voldemort glanced up from his book and looked toward the sound that emanated from the figure lying curled up in bed. He stood and crossed to the bed, pressing the now only damp piece of cloth to Severus' sweat stained forehead. "I'm here." He pulled the piece of cloth away, watching as Severus' eyes flickered open and a hazy black gaze focused on Voldemort. Voldemort drew back and sat beside him on the bed, "How are you feeling?"

Severus frowned and straightened his legs, "I'm not sure…"

"Here." Voldemort picked up a phial and tipped it against Severus' lips so the blueish liquid was swallowed by the younger wizard. "It will help with the pain. You should rest."

Severus shook his head, "No…I need…my Lord…what happened? What…did I do?"

"You betrayed me, Severus." Voldemort said after a moment, surprised at the violence of the reaction from Severus - he jerked into a sitting position and stared at his master, who stayed sat on the bed. "Never. Not me, my Lord."

Voldemort had to smile. If this was genuine - and he thought it was - he was speaking to an eighteen year old Severus in a thirty five year old body. But this was important because Severus, the teenage Severus, was loyal to him. He had grown up at Hogwarts, and truly detested anyone associated with the Headmaster and those who stood against him. By the age of eighteen, he had been one of Voldemort's followers for three years and began the transition to something more - by the age of twenty, he was the Dark Lord's lieutenant and advisor, and by twenty one Voldemort's most trusted. At eighteen, he was filled with bloodlust and most importantly potential - he was incredibly powerful - and easy to corrupt and bend to Voldemort's dark will. He truly did care about his Lord, and although Voldemort was not sure if Severus had truly betrayed him…he did not need Severus to know that. Severus, now, knowing that Voldemort did not trust him, would seek redemption by any means - and that meant Voldemort would be able to ask him to do anything. He just needed to be sure about this amnesia. "Severus. Why would I say such a thing if I did not know it for certain. You have betrayed me to Albus Dumbledore - " Oh, that shaking of his head was so genuine - "You have told him everything, Severus. Everything that ever passed between us, all the secrets I told you -" He raised a finger when Severus tried to interrupt to deny this, "I have witnesses, Severus. Witnesses of your betrayal. You are only alive because I had not managed to find the time to kill you - and you had yet to admit that you had betrayed me. But you have certainly hurt me, Severus."

Severus finally managed, "No. This is not me, my Lord - he must have - it must be a spell, you know I am loyal to you."

Voldemort laughed, but would not tell Severus the reason why. Instead, he looked into that face and saw a teenager's eyes - filled with determination and ambition and selfishness too - that the world hated Severus and he hated the world and only the Dark Lord was able to see his true powers and his true desires. "I do wish I could believe you, Severus. I really wish I could, but I don't…I do not trust you any longer."

Severus tried to speak before his body had truly formulated the action and instead he descended into a coughing fit. Voldemort noticed with some concern the blood that specked the blankets as the spasms wracked Severus' ribcage. He reached out and touched Severus' shoulder, calming him, "Here, have something to drink." He did not see the moral issue with lacing Severus' drinks - after three days of such drinks, Voldemort thought it cruel to stop. They would just ensure Severus was more compliant than usual, slightly easier to corrupt - and weaker than normal, too. He had made sure that Severus survived his trauma, and had tended to the younger wizard in a way he considered to be quite benevolent - but sometimes, the lightest of magic could be the greatest corrupter. He had saved Severus' life, and that meant the other owed him. Owed him greatly. He waited for the coughing to subside and then helped Severus to lean back against the pillows, wiping a tendril of blood and saliva that remained away from the corner of Severus' mouth. "As I was saying. I do not know if I can trust you."

"You can - always trust me - my Lord." Severus muttered between struggling, gasping breaths.

"We used to be close, Severus. I used to trust you. You were…important to me. My advisor and my lieutenant." Voldemort stood and turned to the window, "I…thought perhaps you would become more than just a follower - an equal - someone to stand by my side, rather than in the shadows - apparently I was wrong." He imagined the torment his words were placing Severus in and wanted to smirk - but he had to keep up this pretence - if he could just…

"My Lord. What can I do? What can I do to prove myself to you?"

Voldemort smiled. "You wish to redeem yourself to me, Severus? You think that possible?"

A rustling of blankets. Voldemort turned and was presented with the rather unexpected image of Severus kneeling before him, "Please, I'll do anything."

Voldemort enjoyed the humiliation of his usually rather aloof Severus before shaking his head. "Get back into bed, you are not yet well enough." He pulled Severus up and half pushed, half sat him back down on the bed. "Now. Severus. I understand your desire to correct what you believe you have done wrong. Therefore, as I am merciful, I will present you with one final chance to prove yourself, to redeem yourself, and to escape a fate which is indeed worse than death."

Severus leaned forward, as Voldemort pulled back his left sleeve to examine Severus' left arm. He traced his fingers across the Dark Mark, "It's quite simple, considering your current position. I want you, Severus, to kill Albus Dumbledore."