I, Too, Shall Follow—Chapter Twenty-Six
Seventeen vials of Veritaserum sat in rows on the table. Severus glanced around cautiously in the empty lab, picked up one vial, and slipped it into his robes. Slughorn had been pleased when he volunteered to bottle the stuff, saying he'd be along presently to collect it and deliver it to the Ministry. While the man might have a good idea, there was no way he could be absolutely certain how many bottles it would fill. Severus snatched up one more and stuffed it into another pocket only seconds before the door banged open. He jumped guiltily.
"It's finished, sir," he said, waving his hand over the fifteen small bottles. The weight of his pockets seemed to grow exponentially with the tick of the clock and the plodding feet approaching him. Surely he'd be discovered, then all hell would break loose! He wiped a film of sweat from his forehead.
"Good job, Severus. Thank you for your help." Slughorn toddled up to the table to inspect the goods. "Beautiful. Perfect. You go on, I'll clean up the cauldrons."
"Let me know if you need assistance again," said Snape, backing toward the door.
"I'll do that. See you in the dungeons."
Severus nodded, turned, and scurried out. That was close! It's for the war effort, he reminded himself. He'd need to sneak away again tomorrow from Hogsmeade; frankly he was surprised the supervising teachers didn't notice his long absences, but then again no one seemed to notice Snape very much, which was turning out to be a positive thing.
He exited the lab and hurried on his way to the Great Hall for supper, then came to a screeching stop; ahead of him in the corridor strutted those despicable Marauders. He clung to the shadows lest they spot him. He couldn't afford to duel now—as if he wanted to—when he had two vials of Veritaserum that might be broken and lost. The gang headed for the changing stairways and an idea struck him. As soon as all four boys' feet were on the staircase, he cast a spell to flatten the stairs into a slide and rapidly cast another at the bottom of the stairs—an invisible wall.
The Marauders, their feet suddenly jerked out from under them, slammed to the floor with indignant and shocked cries. They hurtled down the slippery slide, rolling over and banging one another, only to come to an abrupt halt as they slapped the invisible wall. Pettigrew and Black hit first, to be crunched from behind by Potter and Lupin. James' foot lodged against Peter's ankle, ramming it into the wall with a sickening crunch and the rat-like boy let out a scream. Lupin's whole body tumbled against Sirius, crushing his face against the barrier and causing another angry yelp. Black pulled his face away to display a bloody, crooked nose.
"Sorry, Sirius," Remus pleaded. "Let me fix it."
"Doh! I'll go to the idfirbary," Sirius growled, trying to stand up on the incline.
Remus waved his wand with an unspoken spell and the wall disappeared. "I guess somebody thought it would be funny," he grumbled.
James flicked his wand at the staircase and it returned to normal. His eyes began searching the area and he started up the first stair, but Peter's cries brought him back down. "If I find out who did that, they'll be sorry."
"Like we do'd doh," said Sirius, pressing his robes to his nose to staunch the flow of blood. "It's Stivellus."
Even his friends couldn't hold back their laughter at how ridiculous he sounded, except for Peter, who was still on the floor moaning and holding his ankle. With Remus and James on either side, they helped him up and supported him as they made off for the infirmary. Sirius lagged behind, his eyes already developing black circles beneath them.
From above, standing back out of view, Severus' body shook with silent laughter. Served them right for all the things they'd done to him, and for bothering Glenna. He'd been tempted to run the moment he performed the prank, but when he saw there'd been injury he couldn't tear himself away. He'd counted on the fact that they were Gryffindorks; they wouldn't leave an injured companion to search out a perpetrator who was probably long gone.
Sighing with the contentment only revenge and subterfuge can bring, Severus headed off to supper. This had been a wonderful, productive day.
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The sign on the door said 'Misuse of Muggle Artifacts'. Lucius wasn't aware it was even possible to misuse an object, Muggle or otherwise, unless one was a complete moron. Or unless one had deliberately cursed an item, but since Muggles weren't capable of that... He knocked once and pushed open the door.
Arthur Weasley, in his late twenties with messy reddish hair, looked up. "Yes, may I help you, Mr. Malfoy?"
Mr. Malfoy is my father, thought Lucius, though perhaps it was fitting for the lower class to address him as such. "Arthur, how are you today?"
"Fine. I doubt you've come here to ask after my health."
"True. I'd prefer not to step foot in the Muggle Department, yet exceptions must be made," responded Lucius, sauntering up toward the desk. He couldn't help noticing the walls lined with shelves, each shelf covered with all manner of odd artifacts that both fascinated and repulsed him. On one shelf hung a makeshift sign warning that some of these objects might carry charms.
He quite forgot about Arthur as he strolled slowly up along one wall studying various articles made of materials foreign to him. One seemed a caricature of what he thought might be a sports figure, for his Muggle clothing resembled Quidditch robes. The head of said figure was unnaturally large and attached to the torso by unseen means. Lucius tapped the overgrown, grinning face with one finger and the enormous head began to bob and weave most grotesquely. His brow dipped and his eyes widened.
"Bobble head," said Weasley.
"What?" asked Lucius, remembering the man was here and turning to him.
"It's called a bobble head. I'm not really sure what it symbolizes."
"Certainly not large Muggle brains," drawled Lucius, smirking at his own cleverness. "Heavens, Arthur, how do you tolerate such close proximity to these," he wrinkled his nose, "vile contraptions?"
"Just because they're Muggle doesn't make them vile," answered Arthur in a clipped tone.
Lucius offered a sympathetic, patently fake smile. "Of course you'd have to say so. Perhaps I could put in a word for you to get removed from this hellish pit into something more fitting for a pureblood. I dare say I'd have nightmares if I had to look at this all day."
Arthur got up from his chair looking somewhat vexed. "I'm fine here, Lucius. How can I help you?"
"I've been asked to speak to certain Ministry employees regarding another of those proposed Muggle defense laws or some such nonsense. They come up with alarming regularity, don't they?" He flicked a bit of lint off the sleeve of his robe. "There's to be a formal signing, as I'm sure you know, but if we purebloods band together and refuse to sign, it will die a swift and painful death."
"Who asked you to speak to me?"
"That's irrelevant. The point is that if we allow this bill to pass, it will weaken our status while elevating mudbloods to equal footing. It's appalling." Gauging the dirty look on Arthur's face, Lucius went on, "I see you find it as repugnant as I do."
Still scowling, Arthur came around his desk to face him. "On the contrary, Lucius, I heartily believe in total equality for all witches and wizards, regardless of birth—and yes, even for Muggles."
Shocked speechless, Lucius stared back at him. Weasley was a blood traitor! He'd heard such rumors, dismissing them out of hand. At last, regaining his composure, he spat, "How…broadminded, if incredibly short-sighted. I see I'm wasting my time here."
"Evidently so," agreed Arthur, walking past him to the door. "Let me show you the way out."
Lucius spun around, his cloak billowing, and stomped after Arthur, though he stretched out a hand quickly to accio some of the Muggle artifacts off the shelf containing the warning. He stuffed them up the sleeves of his robes as he strode out, with Weasley none the wiser.
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Snape held out the two bottles of stolen Veritaserum to Voldemort, who motioned for him to set them on the floor at his feet. "It was all I dared take, master. Professor Slughorn would have been suspicious if any more were missing."
"You did well, Severus, very well. Because of your faithfulness and initiative, I've decided to reward you."
Severus shuddered, but kept his face blank. He recalled Lucius telling him how his 'reward' for bringing Snape into the fold had been to lead the group into the field to kill the Prewetts, which had ended in Lucius nearly losing his life.
"You will become a spy for me at Hogwarts. Keep an eye on that Headmaster Dumbledore, and keep your ears open with everyone else. Report to me as you gather any information."
"Yes, my lord," Snape said, once again startled and pleased to be selected for such an important task. "I'm very honored."
Voldemort nodded once. "As you should be. Go outside and wait."
Leaving the serum where he'd placed it, Severus bowed and did as he was told. All at once he felt the burning, throbbing pain in his forearm that denoted a summons. Being as he was already present, he surmised the dark lord was sending a signal to all the Death Eaters. Sure enough, moments later hooded, masked figures began Apparating all around the area, first only a few, then within minutes dozens more, until they finally stopped arriving. He estimated them to be about fifty men. They gathered slowly into a circle, leaving the head space open for the master.
A hand slapped against Severus' side and he looked over, realizing he was the only one not masked. "What?"
"It's me," said Regulus breathlessly.
"You're only sixteen," Severus said with growing anxiety. "They could trace you here!" The implication being they could all be caught.
"Don't worry. Rookwood had the trace removed." Severus could hear the smile in his voice, the excitement in his panting breaths.
When all was ready, the dark lord made his appearance, walking regally out into the meadow with Bellatrix sashaying behind him. As one the crowd of Death Eaters fell utterly silent and dropped to their knees. Leaving Bella in the open spot, Voldemort came to the middle of the circle, facilitating the grovel routine, as they were able to approach him from all sides. Once more he mused that he really ought to come up with another form of humiliating obeisance for them to observe. Nevertheless, there was no time for that now. If he didn't teach his minions to resist Veritaserum, it could spell disaster in the ranks. When they'd all returned to their places, he spoke in a high, hissing voice.
"I realize this is an unusual, perhaps even inconvenient time of day to call you here, what with leaving jobs and such. However, this is an extraordinary occasion. Snape here has discovered that the Ministry plans an all-out assault on Death Eaters, with this as their weapon." He held up one of the vials of potion. "Veritaserum, which is being supplied in unprecedented quantities by potions masters across Britain."
A general stir and rumbling among the Death Eaters followed, one of whom piped up, "My lord, Snape is just a boy. How would he know Ministry business?"
"Funny you should ask, Yaxley," Voldemort crooned. "I'd have thought you or Rookwood or Malfoy would know what goes on at the Ministry." His wand aimed at Yaxley and delivered a jolt that knocked him off his feet. "Be grateful I'm merciful or you'd be squirming under the Cruciatus."
"Yes, my lord, thank you," croaked Yaxley, sitting up with difficulty. He crawled back to his spot, where the man beside him helped him to his feet.
"Your chore, my friends, is to learn how to override the influence of their drug so that if you're taken into custody, you don't reveal information damaging to our cause or to your fellow Death Eaters."
The general consensus being they had no idea how to accomplish this feat, no one spoke or moved. At last a brave voice ventured, "Master, I've read there exists an antidote to Veritaserum."
"And so there does," concurred the dark lord. "How many of you carry along a vial of it? No one? And in the event you were captured, do you think the aurors wouldn't search you and take it from you? Or, if you were quick enough to swallow it, would they not simply wait for its effects to wear off before drugging you?"
Again an uncomfortable silence settled over the group.
Voldemort strutted around the inner circumference of the circle, staring at each masked face, enjoying the smell of fear emanating from them, though his pleasure was tainted by wondering how much of this fear was for him and how much for the news of the Veritaserum. He also sensed apprehension, confusion swirling around, which he found distasteful; they felt helpless, hopeless, as if their master was unable to aid them!
"Some wizards can innately prevent the effects of this heinous drug," Voldemort intoned. "The vulnerable, the unsuspecting, the unskilled—these are the ones who need to worry."
"My lord, will you show us how to resist it?" The query came from the middle of the circle, from a voice unfamiliar to Severus.
"That's why you're here, Anderson. There are various methods, the easiest being Occlumency—and by that I mean easiest for myself, as I need not even put forth effort to utilize Occlumency."
Severus' heart leapt. Although the master didn't know it, he possessed a great command of Occlumency! He would be able to resist! He barely even listened to the rest of what was said, so relieved was he.
Voldemort continued his prowling about as he spoke. "For those skilled in wandless magic, transforming the serum into mere water before it touches the lips is an extremely effective measure. Since the serum already looks like water, the aurors would have no way to know that you were not telling them the truth. The third, and probably least valuable method, is to seal the throat to prevent swallowing. This, unfortunately, can be overcome fairly easily by massaging the throat or inducing swallowing by other methods."
He indicated the circle as he went on. "Pair up. You'll practice on each other under my supervision."
"I'll take blondie!" Bellatrix shrilled, her eyes lighting up. Oh, the secrets she could pry from him!
"No!" Lucius balked. "I already called Snape."
"You did not!"
"Did, too! In my head," he insisted.
Bellatrix rolled her eyes. "Master…"
Voldemort held up a hand, feeling rather like a disgruntled father to a sizeable clan of unruly children. "Remove your masks and hoods. Pair up with the person next to you," he amended his former command.
Bella smirked at Lucius, whose hood and mask shielded her from the evil glower shooting her way. She leaned in close and whispered, "The master said take those off. And your mind is sooo open to me."
"You wish," he hissed back, yanking them off. "The master taught me Occlumency, too."
Yet again the dark lord raised his voice. "I will administer the potion myself to only one person in each couple. Whoever receives the drug must lie convincingly to his partner, who will ask questions. The rest of you pay attention and learn." He had a vague impulse to turn to Lucius and Bella with his last comment, but suppressed it.
He walked over to Severus first off and measured the drops into Severus' mouth. Instantly the boy felt a peculiar, vacant sensation in his brain, and he wanted to laugh…was this how those Gryffindorks felt all the time?
"What's your name?" asked Regulus roughly, puffing himself up as an auror.
"Severus Snape," answered Severus.
"Are you a Death Eater?"
"No."
"Why do you have this Dark Mark on your arm?" pressed Regulus.
"I don't know."
"Why were you at the McKinnons' house?"
"I wasn't there. I don't know any McKinnons," said Snape. His stomach flopped and he felt the desire to be ill again, yet he must remain in control.
"You were seen there," Regulus said. "You're lying."
"I don't remember being there. You must be mistaken." God, he was cracking! Get off this line of questioning, damn you!
"You helped kill the McKinnon family, didn't you?"
"No!"
"You tortured them and murdered them. Admit it."
Severus lashed out, striking Regulus across the face, shoving him to the ground and straddling his body as he bellowed, "I said I didn't! I wasn't there!"
"Severus," came Voldemort's soft hiss. "Get up."
Severus stood up, abashed to remember the master had been listening, as was apparently everyone else in the group. His head felt strange and far away. "Forgive me, master. Have I failed you?"
"No, you performed admirably right up until you attacked the auror. I must discourage such behavior, as it tends to lend credence to accusations of violence."
He moved on to the next pair. The drugged man immediately caved, confessing everything the auror asked of him, making the dark lord's eyes narrow in fury. He pointed his wand and the man fell screaming to the ground under the Cruciatus. One by one he made his way around the circle, either praising the success or—more often—punishing the deficiency, until it was Bella and Lucius' turn.
"Drug him, my lord," Bella pleaded impishly. Voldemort complied, and Bella took her place in front of Lucius. "What is your name, scum!"
"Lucius Malfoy," he replied without hesitation. "And I believe you have my nickname confused with your own."
This elicited a laugh from the crowd, a hateful frown from the woman.
Expecting the same type of questions he'd heard repeatedly as each pair took a turn, he was thrown when Bella asked, "Do you love Cissy?"
"Yes." If he lied and said no, Bella would tell Narcissa, of that he had no doubt.
"Did you ever lust after me?"
"No!"
She gave a put-out look. "When's the last time you had sex?"
"That's none of your business." Despite the empty oddness in his skull, Lucius felt the distinct urge to wrap his hands around her throat. This wasn't what she was supposed to be asking!
"How many galleons did your robes cost?" she sneered.
"More than you could afford," he said snidely.
Bellatrix turned to Voldemort who, while enjoying Lucius' discomfort, found the session worthless. "My lord, I believe he's telling the truth on all these questions," she said in a hushed tone as if fearing Malfoy might hear her. "His instructions were to lie convincingly, which he hasn't done. He must not be able to obstruct the potion's influence."
"You bitch!" Lucius barked, something he'd not ordinarily dare, as he'd likely have to face her in a duel over it. "You're trying to get me punished because I won't say what you want to hear! Ask me something normal—master, please, you ask me."
Voldemort raised his thin eyebrows a touch. It was entirely possible Malfoy told the truth to spite Bellatrix; the two acted like brats in need of spankings. "Alright, Lucius. Are you a Death Eater?"
"No, my lord." Oops. The my lord part shouldn't have slipped out.
"I'm an auror now, Lucius. What are the names of other Death Eaters?"
"I don't know any Death Eaters! I don't know why I'm being detained and harassed, but I assure you, you'll pay for it." The venomous ease with which he spewed the words out made plain that he was not buckling to the drug's effect.
"My lord," Bellatrix interrupted. "It probably wore off. Maybe he needs more."
Just to shut her up, and also to make sure she wasn't right, he dropped more liquid into Lucius' mouth. "Now, Malfoy, who am I?"
Must lie, he reminded himself. Coldly he replied, "I've never seen you before today. How would I know?"
Voldemort glanced over at Bellatrix with a look that said 'You were wrong. Any other bright ideas?' She ducked her head, pouting. She'd really wanted to see Lucius crucio'd, or better yet be permitted to do it herself. It wasn't that she hated him, he simply got on her nerves.
The dark lord made the rounds one last time, this time drugging the other member of each pair. Regulus failed miserably, to be subsequently crucio'd into a sobbing heap on the ground. Dolohov passed with flying colors, one of only a minority who'd succeeded so far. By the time Voldemort reached Bella, a scant twenty-one men of the fifty had passed the test.
"Bellatrix Lestrange, you are charged with torturing and murdering Muggles," Lucius grinned, getting up close to her face. "Are you guilty?"
"Of course not."
"So, you don't hate Muggles? You don't wish they were all dead?"
A grim look of determination crossed her features. "No."
Lucius' grin became a cruel smile. "Tell me you like Muggles, that you think they're every bit as good as you are."
"I-I li-li—master, I can't, this is inhuman!" she screeched, shoving Lucius away. "That's not fair!"
"And aurors are so fair!" Lucius shot back. "At least I'm not asking you when you do it with Rodolphus or if he likes it or—"
"Shut up!" thundered Voldemort. "I should crucio you both on general principles!" When his wand came up, they both ducked at the same instant. "Those of you who passed the test may go. Those who failed may go, but return tomorrow night at nine o'clock for practice in Occlumency before another test." He wheeled and stalked into the castle.
Numerous popping noises accompanied the leaving crowd, of which Lucius was not a part. Bellatrix glared at him, debating whether she should attack with fists or wand, certain she could take him either way, even if he was stronger.
"Why are you still here?" she snarled.
"Again, none of your business," he replied and brushed past her into the castle. "Master, I have something for you!"
Voldemort stopped and turned, his expression clearly displaying ill humor. He should have punished them both for acting juvenile in front of everyone! And now the brat wouldn't even go home! "What is it?"
"I've procured a few Muggle artifacts from Arthur Weasley's office. They may be charmed, and I don't know what they are, but I felt certain you would know what to do with them." Lucius reached into the pockets of his robes to withdraw the two items, which he presented to the leader.
"Set them down and go," Voldemort ordered. Lucius beat a hasty retreat and Disapparated outside. He didn't hear the high cackled laugh resounding through the building. Ah, yes, this was one reason to keep Lucius Malfoy around! He laughed even harder, making Bella fear he'd been cursed by the horrid things.
Bewildered, Bella sidled up to the master, staring in wonder at the strange objects. "Are they dangerous, my lord?"
Voldemort picked up the roll of clear adhesive tape. "While useful for Muggles, who must drudge about their pitiful existence without magic, I can't imagine a scenario in which this might be dangerous, unless you tried to eat it." He tossed it back onto the floor and lifted the pink bottle with a plastic mermaid perched on top.
"It has a mermaid, master. Does that mean it's used for water torture?"
Her genuine curiosity combined with her and Lucius' lack of understanding of such mundane things cheered him considerably. "I suppose it could be. Let me show you the traditional use."
He took her hand, led her to the bathroom, and turned on the water in the tub. Uncapping the bottle, he poured in a little of the sweet strawberry smell, which instantly burst into bubbling pink froth. With a quick shrug, his robes dropped to the floor; as was often the case, he was nude underneath. He stepped into the tub, to Bella's distressed cry.
"It's called a bubble bath, Bellatrix." He extended a hand to her. "Come join me."
(Author's note: Information regarding Veritaserum was taken from the official JKRowling site, FAQ section.)