Severus was surprised by how quickly Lucius Malfoy could reply to a request. He had only just sat down to lunch, ravenous beyond belief, when the same golden eagle dropped a letter beside his plate and took off without a look back.
He popped the wax seal with a thumbnail and nodded at the contents of the letter. Brief and to the point, he liked that much better than Malfoy's usual posturing.
At the manor tonight. Nine o'clock, don't be late.
L. Malfoy
He deposited the note in his pocket and filled his plate, ignoring the curious looks he received from several odd faces at the oddly timed visit from a messenger bird.
Lupin plopped into his seat and rocked the table with a badly placed knee. He smiled apologetically to everyone before picking over the entree's. He noticed the unusual amount of food on Severus' plate and smiled cheekily.
"Feeling hungry today, Severus?"
The potions master eyed him coldly and continued to eat, only pausing long enough to sneer between bites.
"Well, at least you have a good appetite. That's a good way to keep Poppy at bay." Lupin grinned and tore a bun in two.
"Do you insist on making my eating habits a part of your normal discussionary topics? If so, you would do better to forget it before you find yourself eating your own feet." Snape snapped.
"Of course, Severus, I apologize," Remus smiled lightly, not looking the least bit remorseful. Severus snorted and turned away, tucking into his food with a new flourish.
"Ah, Severus, good to see you eating well," the Headmaster rested a hand on the man's shoulder and smiled down at him.
Snape swallowed and scowled, "Why is it everyone's concern that I am eating? It is the lunch hour. I was under the impression that one ate lunch during this time."
Albus laughed and nodded, eyes twinkling happily. "By all means, eat your fill. It is that time of day, and I myself will be sitting down shortly. I only wanted to ask that you stop by my office this evening, say, five o'clock?"
Snape paused before nodding slowly. "As you wish, Headmaster."
"Good, good. Enjoy your meals, gentlemen."
Severus sighed into his potatoes, he'd have to tell Albus all that he knew and pray the man didn't have too many questions. He still had to get to Malfoy manor by nine.
---
Severus was standing in front of the gargoyle that led into the Headmaster's office and swore softly to himself. He had intended to bring the translated pages with him to show Albus exactly what he said was true. It wasn't too late to get them, but it would take more time and he would be late. He didn't want to field more questions and take up time he didn't really have to waste.
"Mallow-tips," he mumbled and climbed the stairs to Dumbledore's office. He knocked soundly on the door and entered as the Headmaster called him in.
"Ah, Severus, sit, please." Albus waved to the open seat and shuffled several papers into a pile. He tapped them smartly with his wand and they folded neatly upon themselves and disappeared into a file cabinet in the far corner. He smiled softly as the potions master sat. "Would you like some tea?"
Snape didn't bother to answer since a cup materialized in front of him anyway, just as it always tended to. "Why do you even ask anymore, Albus?"
The Headmaster cheekily ignored the question by taking a sip from his own cup. "Tell me, Severus, where do you believe war begins?"
Partly stunned by the question, Severus sat quiet and thought over an answer. "On familiar ground; a place with tactical advantage. Depending on the mental stability of the leader, they could be prepared or not but willing to strike either way."
"And what do you believe of Voldemort?" Albus slowly stroked his beard, he was leaning back in his chair and watching Severus with a detached intent that was oddly unsettling.
"I don't think he's even close to mentally stable, but he is still clever," Severus took a slow breath in and met the Headmaster's gaze. "He is not ready to strike yet, Albus, but he is working toward it through his followers."
Dumbledore sat forward and leaned on his desk. "This corresponds to our missing pages, yes?"
"It does," Severus agreed.
"Please, tell me what you've learned."
"For a start, it does not do what Lucius had believed. He is convinced the elixir on the pages will give Voldemort control over Hell, specifically the Egyptian sect. I believe he thinks it is more plausible since no direct worshipping of the Egyptian Gods have taken place since many millennia ago. Mummification, tombs, sacrificial burials, all of it has ceased. The Gods may be forgotten, possibly weakened by lack of worshippers, maybe easily swayed to assist him. But this is not what the pages say.
"There is an elixir on the pages; what is described at great length in fact. It would not be taken by Voldemort, but by his loyal followers. Once consumed it will make the drinker take on a false death. If brewed correctly, the subject will find himself facing a jury and Osiris himself. If they pass the God's tests, they can have the option of eternal life. Spiritually or physically."
Dumbledore's eyes widened marginally though the rest of his face remained impassive. "Are you saying..."
"Yes, Albus. A literal army of the undead. Impervious to all curses, spells, poisons, and even death."
"Great Merlin," Albus breathed, face pale.
A sick smlie twisted Severus' face, "That's not all, Albus. They would not have to eat, no need for sleep. Only water to maintain their natural level of brain function. They will not breathe, will not bleed. They will not need any of their organs to function beyond the brain...not that Death Eaters use their hearts..." Snape mumbled the last bit and sipped his tea.
"Then there is a weakness," Albus straightened, "if they have need of their brain for higher function, then the head would need to be removed."
"In theory. However, with nothing to slow them down, not even pain, they will still kill whole groups of men before they would be taken out. Remember, no curses will work, the head would have to be removed physically. Even if you were able to detach a head from the body, it would have to be burned with the proper incantation that would send the soul back to Osiris. It is all very complicated."
"To say the least," the Headmaster rubbed his wan face and took a shaky sip from his cup. "How do you propose we go about this, Severus? I need your analytical expertise now more than ever."
Snape shook his head, hair swaying in front of his face and trailing his teacup. "I'm not entirely sure. As far as I know, only you and I have this information. Lucius is too lazy to bother, he has others like I to do this kind of thing for him; the perks of wealth and the Dark Lord's favor."
"But you will be speaking to Lucius this evening," Dumbledore spoke matter-of-factly while peering over his half-moon spectales.
Severus didn't bother being surprized, "I am."
"I do hope you won't be relaying this information to Mr. Malfoy."
"No, I will inform him of his blatant stupidity and make it clear that he is to tell no more lies to the Dark Lord before we are both killed for failing to live up to expectation." Snape set his cup on the Headmaster's desk, idly watching as it magicked itself away.
"Then what will you be telling him, Severus?" Albus asked quietly.
"An alternate theory based upon the ingredients of the elixir itself. If Lucius wants to play detective with it, anyone he hires to look up the list will find exactly what I will tell him." Snape hoped it would appease the Headmaster , but the silent stare he was receiving was not indicative of a pleased wizard. "The various ingredients all cause paralysis, coma, delirium, or any combination of the three. He will be told the elixir only causes catatonic delusions. With a bit of specialized research, I am sure I can find that Egyptian priests and priestesses consumed such a thing for the purpose of enlightenment."
A slight sparkle returned to Albus' eyes and he nodded his head, "You are forever surprising me with your wit and cleverness."
Severus snorted at the odd compliment. A sudden thought surged to the forefront of his mind and Snape frowned in thought. "Albus, how did Lucius gain hold of the papers before they got to you?"
Dumbledore sighed in regret and reclined in his chair. "It seems that our friendly museum manager, Nigel Brittlebom, is just as weak and swayed just as easily as most others that Lucius sets his sights on. He granted Mr. Malfoy a private viewing of the pages late Thursday evening in exchange for a sizable amount of money."
"Giving Lucius the opportunity to make a set of duplicates," Severus hissed, hands clenching lightly on the armrests.
"Indeed," Albus smiled. "Perhaps you had best get something to eat before you are due at Malfoy Manor."
Snape nodded and stood from his chair. "Good evening, Headmaster."
He had just pulled the door open when Dumbledore called after him. "Severus, remember when I asked you how war began?"
Severus peered over his shoulder, "I do."
"Though your answer was well founded, I am afraid I must disagree. War begins in the minds of men." Dumbledore flicked his wand and the pages he had been piling upon Snape's arrival returned to his desk. The Headmaster shuffled lightly through them and nodded to the potions master. "Good evening, Severus."
---
Malfoy Manor was just as lush and glimmering as it usually was to the untrained eye. Severus was not one to overlook things, nor take things lightly and he saw what most others would not. The shadows at the edges of the building were hidey-holes for various insidious creatures. Like is drawn to like, and evil is drawn to evil. Vicious little creatures cowered in the eaves, small glittering eyes flashing if you knew where to look.
The statues stood stoic and tall, apathetic to the dark wizard's passing. The same set of stained doors were already standing open when he reached the top of the stoop. The atrium was redecorated since the last visit. Freshly preserved plants stood arranged in pleasing aesthetics in fall colors. Cattails, deciduous limbs with leaves ranging from crimson to lemon; silver trim had been replaced with gold. The entry was warm and welcoming, rich with the colors of the autumn season. It made Severus want to laugh.
Lucius Malfoy was standing at the base of his stairs speaking to his wife. He was in flowing robes of sapphire that were cut in an 'A' at the hips and trailed the ends to the floor. His newly-handsome face was stern as he spoke.
As a polite guest, Snape stopped just inside the hall and stood waiting to be addressed. He looked away from the two of them, unable to hear what was said at the distance but a low syllabant hissing now and then.
Any trace magic used in the manor was recorded, he knew, so he didn't quite dare attempt an audio enhancement charm. That was fine. As an expert spy and death-eater for over a decade, he learned to make do in a pinch.
Focusing his attention on an ugly painting to his direct right, he counted down his breathing and focused his hearing as he slowly adjusted his sight. As the sharpness of his eyes faded, the acuteness of his hearing sharpened.
"...it is an honor," Lucius spoke to his wife, voice tinged with anger and disbelief.
"To serve is one thing, Lucius, you know where I stand. But to die! Even for our Lord. How do you even know this will work?" Narcissa hissed back at him.
"You must have faith," Lucius gripped his wife's upper arm and shook her. He released her a second later as her face hardened and instead cupped her cheek. "You do believe in me, don't you 'Cissa?"
The fair woman kissed her husband's palm and nodded, "I do." The infliction of her voice changed a moment later, "Ah, Severus, good evening."
Snape failed to flinch at the loud volume of the woman's voice and saw the hideous painting come back into focus in an instant that his hearing returned to normal. He turned slightly on his heel and dipped his head to the woman. "Narcissa."
A suspicious glint passed over Lucius' eyes but he smiled just the same and motioned Snape in. "Punctual as always."
"To your beck and call, Lucius."
Malfoy laughed, a harsh bark of laughter that traveled to his eyes. "Come, Severus, we'll sit in the study. I've already had the help bring up refreshment."
Snape acquiesced and followed the man up the stairs and to the same library as weeks before. The area remained untouched, unlike the rest of the Manor which appeared to be in the midst of changing with the season.
"Enjoying the fall foliage?" Snape quipped, flicking an elm leaf off of a low table. It had probably blown into the room from the hall and a dutiful house elf had placed it where it thought the leaf belonged.
Lucius sighed dramatically, "The joys of marriage are only found when you keep your wife happy." Lucius grinned as he poured a drink and sat before the fire. He motioned for Severus to help himself but the potions master silently refused and sat opposite him. "But you wouldn't know about that would you, Severus?"
The Malfoy lord had a smug look on his face that he lined in false pity. Severus ignored it, "Far be it for me to remark on your perfect relationship. It isn't everyday a man allows his wife to build an arboretum in their den. Tell me, do you get to leave the manor with only a minor tracking spell or does she insist on you wearing a collar like a muggle dog?"
Lucius sniffed indignantly and changed the subject. "I suspect you have important news if you managed to harass my only son into delivering your message."
"I would hardly call it harassment; and it is important." Severus tamped on his anger and drew the pages from his pocket. He neatly unfolded them and handed them to Lucius. The fair wizard practically snatched them from his palm while salivating. "Be careful," Severus hissed. Lucius cocked an eyebrow and looked over the top of the paper at his companion. "They're covered in my preliminary notes, Lucius, it would be stupid of you to drool on my work and ruin two days research," Snape explained.
Severus was mollified to see Lucius relax his grip and turn each page far more carefully.
A furrow formed between Malfoy's impeccable brows and a shuffle of pages later, his silver eyes looked up. "So what does all of this ramble mean, Severus?"
"It means that we have a problem. What have you told our Lord?"
"Not this," Lucius snapped, throwing the pages back at Snape. "Explain this to me."
"I don't know where you get your information, Lucius, but this does absolutely nothing that you said it would. The translations say that the drinker would go to Hell, not rule it."
"That is an awful lot of paperwork to say just that, Severus," Lucius scowled at him.
"Of course that isn't all you idiot. These pages here say that once consumed, the potion will bring you to hell, this one here says the consumer must pass a number of tests set by Osiris, and this one says you may return to your body. The gist: that if you manage to make it to Hell and pass a number of impossible tasks, you have the option to return to your body whole and invulnerable, or live forever spiritually wherever you wish to roam."
"Hold," Lucius held up a manicured hand and leaned forward in his seat. "Whole and invulnerable did you say?"
Snape's stomach clenched painfully, "The pages do."
A contemplative look crossed Malfoy's face and he sat straight again, "But you do not."
"No." Severus returned the pages to a semblance of order and handed the top page to Malfoy. "The ingredients in front of you are relatively common in the dark arts. Look them over, what do they have in common with each other?"
Lucius huffed as he scanned and thrust the page back at Snape, "You are the potions master, Severus. Stop the rhetoric and speak."
Severus did not retrieve the page and motioned for Lucius to look at it again. "You see jimson weed, lily-of-the-valley, and golden chain. All three cause mental delirium. The others cause coma and death if strong enough in the potion. I believe the whole lot is just a hoax. An elixir that causes hallucinations, nothing more."
"Impossible," Malfoy spat, shaking the page in his hand at Snape. "You're calling our ancestors liars? Why would it have been documented, Severus? Why would it have been kept secret from the rest of wizarding society?"
Severus relaxed internally, he had already thought of those questions. "Because it is the equivalent of a muggle drug. The religious peon's that took it believed it allowed them a deeper connection to the spirits they worshiped. Think about it Lucius, if you had been consuming a potion that gave you curious visions the equivalent of a muggle's, you would want the damned thing kept a secret too."
Malfoy grumbled to himself, staring blankly at the paper and looking a little untrusting. "I don't believe you."
"This is my profession, Lucius," Severus foamed, coming up out of his seat and snatching the paper from Lucius' hands. "You demand my help then question my abilities as a Potions Master even after my skill has healed you in ways your riches could not!"
Snape stalked to the entry, pages clenched in his fist. He swung the door open with a mighty heave and felt slightly appeased as it cracked soundly against the wall. He stormed down the hallway, bound for the stairs with Lucius hobbling behind him and calling.
He knew he should stop, but Severus felt it would be far more appropriate if he did storm out in a great huff. Malfoy had questioned his ability outright. That in itself was enough to get this angry over. But in order for the man to believe him he needed to play his part perfectly.
"Severus, stop!" Lucius growled at the top of the stairs, puffing inelegantly as he tried to catch up.
"Forget it, Lucius. If you find my abilities so trivial you can run to someone more talented to carry your half-dead carcass home from now on." Severus hissed without looking back.
He had made it to the first floor and was on his way to the entry, gleeful in his success, when Narcissa streaked out of a nearby entryway with fabric-wound cattails and her wand in hand. She stopped directly in front of him and he tried to sidestep her, but the Malfoy heiress blocked him again.
"What is going on?" Narcissa's voice was stern, her eyes flashing.
"Your dear husband has challenged my abilities. I will not stay here to be treated as an inferior," Severus fumed, wishing she would simply get out of the way. This was not how one stormed out of a house.
Narcissa's icy gaze snapped to her husband and she spoke his name with a razor-sharpness that made Severus flinch, "Lucius."
The man in question came to a stuttering halt beside them, bad leg quaking with effort. "'Cissa, allow me to explain."
"Save it," She snapped. "Severus has come here on more than one occasion on your behalf, Lucius. He has set you on your feet and cleaned you up when no one else could."
"When you wouldn't let anyone else," She whispered with her face lined in emotional pain. Lucius reached for her but she backed away. Narcissa started again and her voice had returned to steel. "How dare you question his ability as a potions master, or his service to our Lord."
Severus was too shocked at the last bit to reply. Lucius had been telling Narcissa about his doubts of Severus' loyalty? Who else had the wizard spoken to?
Narcissa flashed one last ugly look to her husband before she stalked back to the room she had come from, a trail of crumbled fall leaves in her wake.
"Forgive me, Severus," Lucius said stiffly. "Narcissa is correct. You have helped me on many occasions."
But you do not mention my loyalties? Snape thought. He sneered while sizing the man up. Malfoy twitched under his gaze, apparently not enjoying the scrutiny in the least. Finally, after color began to fill Lucius' face, Severus nodded once.
"Very well. I've told you what I've come to say. I may have more information for you within the next few days." That said, Snape turned sharply on his heel and stalked to the exit.
"Severus," Lucius called after him. Snape stopped in the doorway and looked back over his shoulder. "I will tell the Dark Lord of my error, but be advised. He will want the elixir either way. If what you say is true, no harm will come of it; but if it works..." The wizard trailed off, knowing that his meaning was not lost.
"Of course." Severus neatly folded the papers still clutched in his hand and replaced them in his pocket.
The statues' lifeless eyes pierced his back the entire length of the pathway. Snape shivered in the crisp autumn air. Those detached gazes would come from legions of undead followers if he didn't do this properly. His stomach flopped violently and he was glad he had not eaten. Nothing reassuring had come from this visit. If nothing else, he had to find a way to dissuade Voldemort from using the elixir, because if the Dark Lord did...all Hell would break loose.