Chapter 35
Snape expected to find the Dark Lord alone, guarded perhaps by Wormtail, but to his surprise the room was occupied by two women. One of the women stood in front of Lord Voldemort with her back to the entrance. She was dressed in a long, loose garment of ivory. The other wore a robe and a mask. She was tall and willowy but her stiff posture signaled her displeasure.
"Don't be sulky," Voldemort chastised her. "I know what you have been doing and am well pleased with you. One day you, too, will be rewarded."
It was Claudia and the fact that her master was praising her did nothing to improve Snape's mood.
"Severus," hissed Lord Voldemort. "The hour is late and you have no mask."
"Forgive me, my Lord," Snape said striding forward to kiss his master's robes. "Time was of the essence."
Voldemort stopped him with a gesture. "No matter. It is good that you have come. Behold the true power of the Dark Lord."
The woman in front of him turned and Snape's eyes widened. It was Bellatrix Lestrange but every line from her face had disappeared. Her skin was white and smooth and her lips were blood red. Voldemort ran a long, boney hand through her black hair as if to check out his handiwork.
As jaded as her was, Severus knew why so many men had wanted her. She was ravishing. Voldemort had restored her to her former beauty, turning back the clock so that she appeared just as she had nearly twenty years ago.
She strutted over to Snape and offered him her hand. "Bellatrix," he murmured pressing it to his lips. It was an elegant, formal gesture and he had done the same on her wedding day. Did she remember?
Glancing up, he noticed the Dark Lord's eye fixed intently upon him. Rumors had abounded in the past that he, Severus, was jealous of Rudulfus and that his surly disposition at the Lestrange wedding was the result of it but there had been no truth in it. Snape's bad temper stemmed from the knowledge of another wedding which was taking place that day – one that he did wish was not going to happen.
"I had to stop Malfoy's initiation," he blurted out, suddenly remembering his errand. "He was very nearly caught red-handed."
"Subtlety, apparently, does not run in the family," Voldemort said pointedly in Bellatrix's direction. She laughed haughtily.
He dismissed the women and Snape presented him with the wand Draco had taken from Hermione Granger.
"It is well that I found him when I did. He had his wand against the Mudblood's throat and half the staff at Hogwarts was out looking for the pair."
"I can always rely on you, Severus. I have important tasks for the newest member of our family and it wouldn't do to have him out of Hogwarts."
The Dark Lord's praise only deepened Snape's fears. The initiation had not been a legacy formality. Draco was meant to be a fully functioning Death Eater. How much time could Severus buy him?
"Still, I suppose young Draco will have to wait another day to receive his Dark Mark."
Although he had expected this response, Snape was not sure how to deflect it. He clenched his hands almost imperceptibly as he lamented his lack of preparation for this meeting.
"My Lord, I am not certain that would be prudent. I was able to cover for him once but he'll be under a great deal of scrutiny. As it stands now the entire castle is under extra security this term - Dumbledore's response to everything that happened over Christmas break."
The Dark Lord's mood shifted and he glared down suspiciously at Snape. "I don't understand that, Severus. I received a report from Malfoy last week. He informed me that he encountered no difficulties."
Snape's stomach churned. Exactly how far had Draco gotten himself involved with the Dark Lord and why had he neglected to mention it to Snape? Operating under a substantial lack of information, he felt the conversation begin to spin out of control.
"Spying is one thing," he told Lord Voldemort. "But committing a murder under everyone's nose? Why risk it? Why not initiate him when school is out of session for the summer?"
Voldemort's red eyes blazed. 'You dare to tell me when best to initiate my children, Snape? I don't recall this kind of hesitation when it was your turn!"
"My Lord, I am only thinking of your other projects at Hogwarts. Surely it's unwise to call attention to our presence there." Snape's mouth was dry. He knew that Voldemort did not believe him and was only fishing for Snape's real motivation. If he continued on this track, he was going to get them both killed. Desperately, he searched his mind for a new tactic.
"The artifact you've been searching for in the forest is indeed what you seek."
The air became instantly electric. Voldemort leaned forward hungrily. 'What?" he gasped.
"A Sorcerer's stone. Dumbledore's got one in the forest."
"He's told you this?" Voldemort asked incredulously.
"He did not need to. I saw him stumble into the forest weak and feeble only to return the next day rejuvenated."
"I knew it!" Voldemort exclaimed. "His hypocrisy is without limits. Here he's been preaching about the nobility of death all the while making certain that he'll never leave this earth."
Snape said nothing, sickened to have betrayed Dumbledore in this way. He could only hope that the security measures would be enough to prevent the Dark Lord from obtaining the stone.
'This is excellent news. Not only do I gain the means of achieving immortality but I simultaneously sentence my rival to increasing infirmity and death. Just as he slips into the void I shall take my place as supreme ruler of all."
"You are close then, Master?" Severus asked as calmly as he could.
"Oh, yes, Severus, I am close." He began to laugh maniacally. "The old fool is far too arrogant to imagine just how close I am."
Severus dearly wished that he could start this conversation over and take back everything that he had said. It was never his intention to risk everything for Draco Malfoy – not when so many other lives were at stake.
'Your instincts are correct, Severus. We must put all of our resources into the stone. Malfoy's initiation can wait until it's safer."
More than a little rattled, Snape made his way out. He feared that he had acted too hastily in coming to Malfoy's aid and, in doing so, had been forced to betray Dumbledore's secret to keep his cover. He felt as if he were balancing on a thin wire. A slight misstep would spell disaster.
The very last person he wanted to see was the treacherous Death Eater Claudia but she clearly had been waiting for him.
"The Dark Lord's favorite son," she called. "Certainly, Severus, you were not going to depart without a fond farewell to me."
Snape regarded her disdainfully. "If you're worried about Draco Malfoy, don't be. He can look after himself."
Claudia laughed softly. "Frankly the exploits of a handful of teenagers are of no interest to me whatsoever."
"You ought to be interested in Harry Potter," he replied silkily. 'Many believe that he possesses the power to bring down the Dark Lord for good. What is it that the Daily Prophet calls him? The Chosen One?"
"I think it's far more likely that Potter will join forces with the Dark Lord. I hear he's taken to killing house elves for sport. In fact, I've heard rumors that he's gotten too dark for Dumbledore. Heard the old man wanted to send him packing."
Severus was dumbfounded. How on earth was she getting all this information? Did she also know that Snape had interceded on Potter's behalf?
"What you say is indeed true. In fact, it was I who recommended he stay on at Hogwarts so that I could continue to apprentice him in the Dark Arts."
The woman nodded but it was clear that this was just idle talk to segue into her true agenda which she then sprang on Snape.
"Bellatrix Lestrange gets all the glory" She ranted. "I am tired of living in her shadow. I want her killed!"
Snape openly laughed at her. "Good luck. Old Mad Eye Moody has an entire list of Aurors who have died in that very pursuit."
She was unfazed.
"Must I remind you that it is high treason to raise your wand against a fellow death Eater? Surely you don't want to harm your sister." His tone dripped with irony.
"Sister? Is that how you think of me, Severus?"
Snape did not respond. It was clearly a loaded question.
"It's just that I know of a few things that you've done that don't seem so fraternal."
Enough! Snape was tired of this game. He decided to end it once and for all.
"Your ambition will be your ruin, woman. I shall tell the Dark Lord of your treachery – of your plans for Bellatrix Lestrange."
"You mean your plans for her." She leaned in and whispered in his ear and Snape felt a cold shiver pass through his body. "You're going to kill her."
He opened his mouth to protest but she silenced him.
"Now, now, Severus. We both know the real reason Dumbledore trusts you and we wouldn't want that to slip out to our Master. But if you refuse me this small favor, I can guarantee that the truth will out."
Snape stared at her, speechless.
"Did you really think you could escape the past?" she asked in the most sincere tone Snape had ever heard her use.
"I don't – you don't know what you're talking about," he sputtered lunging toward her. She stepped smartly aside.
"Also know that the incriminating evidence will reveal itself in the Dark Lord's quarters should I happen to meet an untimely death. I expect you'll want to take especially good care of me. Won't you, brother dear?"
Snape's heart pounded in his chest. He felt trapped. Half a dozen scenarios played out in his mind each with more disastrous endings. It was as if she were forcing his hand to cut his own throat. He thrust himself forward and grabbed her mask. To his great surprise she allowed him to rip it off, revealing a face which was etched into his memory, though he never expected to see it in this life again. His hand froze in mid-air while his face twisted in shock. All of the oxygen seemed to have been sucked from the room and Severus stumbled blindly backwards.
"Claudia!" he gasped. "Claudia Moody?" His voice trembled. "How can this be? I …"
But at this most vital test, Severus Snape's power of speech failed him and Claudia smiled. It was a truly, twisted smile and it seemed to fill the room even after she had disapparated.