Chapter Twenty: Forced Betrayal:
Lucius did not want to do this, not this not to his good friend and the godfather of his only child and son. He had no choice but to do this, his master would kill him and his family if he did not. Even though he had brought the prophecy to Voldemort, even though he had helped him regain most of his power Voldemort still kept him on a short leash. Now he wanted Severus and he was getting impatient with Lucius as the days and weeks went on. Finally Lucius was able to get what looked like an innocent bottle of wine past the guards at the gates of the school up to the school and down to Severus's office. He had gone himself, disguised as a student he had stunned and put in the shrieking shack and headed into the school. As he had stunned a Slytherin he was able to sneak in and drop off the bottle and get back out without meeting anyone. He gave the robes he had borrowed from the young male student back, wiped his memory and went to wait for Severus to take up the bottle.
Hours later Severus came into his office and saw the bottle on the desk and he frowned walking up he cast spells around it to make sure it was safe. Satisfied there was nothing dangerous in the bottle he picked it up, unfortunately the one thing he could not detect was a port key and unfortunately that is what the bottle was. He was whisked away in a rush of wind and after a few moments he landed with a thump on a soft forest floor. He found his wand summoned from him and he scrambled to his feet to find himself surrounded by death eaters. Most were masked, all but Lucius who stood before him looking at him grimly and a cold fear gripped at Severus's heart. This was not happening, Lucius could not do this, not to him they were good friends and how could Lucius do this? Lucius walked up to Severus and took out cuffs to bind his friend.
"Lucius don't do this." Severus said as the cold steel was put on his wrists.
"I am sorry but he wants you." Lucius said not able to look his friend in the eyes. "I give him what he wants."
"You cannot, please Lucius don't, don't take me to him." Severus said feeling cold fear go through him. "You don't have to do this."
"I am sorry Severus." Lucius said.
He grabbed a hood and put it over Severus's head and lead him away, Severus felt himself guided through side-along Apparation and found himself lead along what was now a stone floor. Finally the hood was removed and Lucius stepped back bowing as he did so. Severus refused to look up as Voldemort walked up to him and he flinched as Voldemort traced a finger along his cheek. He found himself forced to look up into the cold red eyes of Voldemort and he made sure to show Voldemort just how much he hated him in his mind. Voldemort stepped back and looked up at Lucius then back at his captive.
"Leave us." He said to Lucius who bowed and left Severus with Voldemort. "You have been quite a problem lately child." Voldemort said to Severus.
"Then why do you not kill me?" Severus said defiantly.
"I don't want you dead child." Voldemort said stepping closer to his captive getting Severus to flinch again. "You could become greater than ever working with me."
"Tempting offer but no, I think not." Severus snarled. "You humiliated me, tortured me and cut me up and maimed me and you expect me to serve you?"
"I wanted that prophecy, no I needed it."
"You could have asked, Harry would have given it to you." Severus said knowing that is exactly what Harry would have done. "He doesn't much take to prophecies anyway, he thinks they cause more harm than good."
"And you believe that brat do you?" Voldemort hissed.
"Kindly do not call Harry Potter a brat!" Severus snapped. "He is a far better wizard than you ever could hope to be!"
That was not the right thing for Severus to say as Voldemort got very angry and cast a Crucio curse at Severus. Severus fell to the floor and in defiance he refused to cry out clenching his jaw so he would not. Voldemort simply increased the horrible pain forcing Severus to scream in pain. Voldemort took the curse off and reached down and drug Severus up by his hair and drug him to the outer wall away from the fire and with a flick of his wand chained Severus to the wall. Severus just sat on the floor forcing himself to stay conscience and not pass out.
"Such insolence form you will not be tolerated." Voldemort said coldly. "You will find it easier to do as I say."
"I am not yours nor will I be!" Severus snarled.
"You will find in time I can be a good master as you do not have a say in the matter anymore." Voldemort said, "you will be mine or die a slow and painful death."
With that he was gone leaving Severus alone angry and hurt at the same time. How could Lucius do this to him? He thought they were good friends, he was Draco's godfather for Merlin's sake! Then again if he was a slave to Voldemort he may not have had a choice. Severus looked up when Lucius came in, Severus stood up and glared at him defiantly. Lucius walked up taking his wand from his cane and checking Severus over. Satisfied Severus was not too badly hurt he summoned a goblet of wine from a table across the room. He tried to give it to Severus but Severus turned his head refusing the offering.
"You need it, the curse will have weakened you." Lucius said quietly, "I am sorry, I did not want this."
"Then why did you do this?" Severus asked. "I vouched for you, I said you were no death eater! I protected you! How could you do this to me?"
"He is my master, I must do as he says." Lucius replied finally getting Severus to drink the goblet of wine, "he has been very good to me."
"I will not be his." Severus said.
"Then he will kill you." Lucius said sadly.
He filled the goblet and made Severus drink that too then he had one himself. He was sure Severus was dead, after all the only person who could stop the death of Severus was Dumbledore and he was not above sacrificing anyone for the great good. Lucius had to leave Severus and though it was dangerous and he did not expect Dumbledore to do anything about it he sent off an owl to Dumbledore. He admitted his part in the abduction and how he had managed it and he went as far as to offer his life for that of Severus if only Dumbledore would protect and save Severus.
Meanwhile Severus was laying against the wall unable to fully lower his arms as the chains were too short for that. He didn't even bother looking up as the door to the chamber opened and several people came into the room. Though Voldemort's orders were clear that Severus was not to be harmed they still could torment and taunt the potions master. At the lead as always was Bellatrix, with here was McNair, Rudolphus and Rabastan. The years in Azkaban had not softened their bloodlust or their lust for torture and pain. Their target right now unfortunately was one Severus Snape and he knew it. He wondered just what these fiends had in store for him this time. Bellatrix walked up to Severus who glared at her showing just how much he hated her.
"Well if it isn't the weakling that dares call himself head of Slytherin." She taunted Severus. "If Salazar…"
"If Salazar where here he would be appalled as to what his direct descendent has been up to, he believed in protecting the Wizarding world not destroying as you seem so keen on doing." Severus countered.
"How dare you, you dare speak of the dark lord in such a manner?" Rudolphus snarled, he kept half his face out of the light but even so Severus could see the stolen eye of Moody's glinting in his face.
"Because I am right." Severus said calmly.
"You clearly do not understand the power of the dark lord do you?" Bellatrix said walking up to him and running a long nailed hand down his jaw. "I could teach you."
"Get your hands off me." Severus snarled.
"There was a time you would have accepted me, what has happened Severus?" Bellatrix asked, "a beautiful witch not your thing? You prefer wizards perhaps?"
"I prefer witches who do not kill and torture and drive insane good noble families for fun!" Severus retorted. "Nor do I or would I rape another for fun as you seem to enjoy."
"How I would love to make you beg for mercy!" Bellatrix retorted.
Before she could continue the door opened once more and Voldemort came in and walked up to Severus. His death eaters stepped away and Voldemort stepped up to Severus, Severus tensed and tensed in his bonds. He wanted to break free and run but he could not and though fear coursed through him he would not beg, not now though he would face death. Voldemort got uncomfortably close and ran a long fingered hand down Severus's face. Severus tensed but had nowhere to go. He was already backed to the wall and could not find any escape.
"I own you already." Voldemort said softly. "You know this don't you?"
"God is my master none other." Severus said quietly.
"Very well, Lucius come here now!" Voldemort said.
"Yes master?" Lucius said coming into the room bowing low.
"Prepare him now!" Voldemort replied.
Lucius felt numb but he had no choice but to grab Severus and drag him forward to the center of the room. There he forced Severus to his knees and bound Severus's hands behind his back. He felt the collar of his robes undone then his shirt, exposing his chest. Severus saw Lucius take out a sliver knife and he knew what was coming and that he was going to die. He refused to beg as his head was forced back and the knife came closer toward his throat.
"That is quite enough." Came the voice of Dumbledore, "you will unhand my boy now!"
Severus looked up to see a very angry Albus Dumbledore flanked by Remus Lupin, Sirius Black and oh Merlin Harry Potter! It seemed as the muggle phrase went the Calvary had arrived…