Severus was still clinging to Selina when the door opened with a long drawn out creak. He refused to look up as his brother entered but when Shylock said nothing, he opened his eyes slightly. The Dark Lord stood at the foot of the bed still wearing his black robes with his hands behind his back. Severus instantly lunged for Selina's legs to cradle her in his arms away from her would-be torturer. But they were trapped underneath cover so he could only grip uselessly at them, as the Dark Lord watched him, his face unmoving. There was a moment of stillness as Severus held the exhausted sleeping Selina as the Dark Lord surveyed them.

"I'm not going to hurt the young Lady Snape."

Severus stayed still.

"I merely want to speak with you."

Severus realised later that the Dark Lord probably wanted him to move, to talk somewhere else. It probably would have helped Selina too, to Him away from her. But in Severus' panicked state all he could think was to keep her safe and by his side. So, when he did not move, the Dark Lord came to sit where Severus' knees were curled on the bed, the action seemed too human for the snake man to do.

"Tell me something Severus, what exactly would you like to do with your life?"

It was laughable, like he was with a career helper not a Dark Lord. What exactly did he mean? He decided to answer as truthfully and vaguely as possible.

"I always wanted to become a potion master."

"With any particular master?"

He shrugged, he had never thought about it before being arrested.

"I have several masters in my power, if you still wished to do so."

It made him flinch, the kindness that the man displayed, it had to be a trick.

"My Lord?" he said in confusion.

The man looked him up and down before hissing out, "Did you ever want power Severus?"

He was tempted to glare at the man, what kind of stupid question was that? He was a Slytherin.

Instead, he said, "I tried back in Hogwarts to use demon magic."

"Yes, your sister here has been trying the same thing."

"She succeed more than I did."

"But it is in your blood to use it. All you must do is embrace its fault."

So, he'd heard about what he'd done, probably from Selina. Demon magic required sacrifice, something Severus had tried hard not to use to gain his ability.

"I know the stories about you Severus," the Dark Lord hissed, "the people you murdered-"

"I hate to disappoint you, but I murdered none of them."

The Dark Lord looked at him, stony faced, for a long time, "Despite what you may think Severus, I don't take pleasure in murder. I merely want power. Do you want power?"

"Yes," he answered immediately, looking over the sleeping Selina.

"Good."

Severus looked back round.

"If you're anything like your sister you have power to control demon magic. And I'd hate to see that power go to waste. So, if it would please you, I could find someone to help you with your studies."

"You would do that?"

"If you promised to remain loyal to me for entirety."

It didn't seem like that bad an exchange.