Chapter 35

When The Door Opened

(Same day)

"Alexandra Snape," breathed Voldemort in my ear.

The candles around the room magically lit, casting a dim, shadowy glow. I jumped to see the Dark Lord's face so close to mine.

He laughed softly and stepped back and began to circle me curiously.

"I frighten you," said the Dark Lord.

It was not question but I answered anyway. "Perhaps, My Lord," I said in a tone as calm as I could make it, "but only because I am so much in awe by your power and I find your greatness intimidating."

"Kind words, indeed" he hissed, still circling me, "but how can I trust such a silent mind?" He ceased his pacing and stopped right in front of me, reaching out a cold, white hand to stroke my cheek.

I flinched.

"Fear," said Voldemort's shrill voice, yet he smiled.

"You must know I only wish to serve you," I said softly.

At that Lord Voldemort laughed, a cold, piercing laugh that send shivers down my spine. I wished more than anything to be back at Spinner's End. My eyes nervously scanned the room for the snake. She was curled in an armchair, warming herself by a fire of blue flames that had just sprouted out of nowhere in the old fireplace. She was like an ugly cat; watching us alertly, knowingly, from her resting place.

The Dark Lord moved in closer, too close. His face was only inches away from mine. I forced myself to stare up into his horrible red eyes. I could see his slit like nostrils flare as he drew breath.

"You only wish to serve me," Lord Voldemort said in a low voice, more to himself than to me. "Severus assures me of your loyalty to me and I have always trusted Severus Snape, he is and always has been one of my most devoted and valuable servants," the Dark Lord continued, "Yet, you frustrate me."

"Let me prove myself, My Lord," I pleaded. "I know I have shown lack of judgment in the past, but please let me prove to you that I have changed." My eyes kept jumping for Voldemort to the snake.

Hissing, spitting sounds admitted from the Dark Lord's lips; the great snake spoke back to him in the same language.

"You are right in saying that your past actions were foolish," said Voldemort resorting back to English. "Very foolish indeed," he added slowly. "Sometimes I wonder if it would be more prudent to just kill you now to leave out all questions of your loyalty."

I cast my eyes to the floor.

"I assure you my Lord that I will prove myself to you," I said shakily.

"And deny Nagini her dinner," said Voldemort, laughing, "She tells me that you smell delicious."

My eyes flicked towards the giant Snake, a hungry look was dancing in its eyes and as I looked towards the Dark Lord once more I gasped to see the snake's expression mirrored in his own.

"How unfortunate," he began, "for Nagini; she longed for a taste, perhaps she will get her chance in future, but not today. You will have a chance to prove yourself at Hogwarts. Go back to school, observe the teachers and students alike, bring me back any information you may learn, but do not give away your position. Do not fail me."

"I won't, My Lord," I said almost lighthearted with this easy and non-murderous job I was given. I just had to spy, that was it. No killing, no harm to anyone. I would just have to tell Voldemort that everything was going swimmingly at Hogwarts and Severus could help me. "Thank you for this opportunity, I shall not let you down." I began walking towards the door thinking, foolishly that he was done with me, thinking that I had truly gotten off that easily.

Voldemort's cool hand caught my wrist. I felt painful disappointment at his touch; I couldn't escape.

"Not quite yet," hissed Lord Voldemort. A most disgusting smile spread across his lips, stretching his snake like features.

Severus sat in the parlor of the manor with the few deatheaters that remained. He had accepted a glass of red wine from Narcissa Malfoy, whom he had been a favorite of since last year when he had vowed to protect her son and in the end did.

He drank silently and every so often his eyes would flick towards the door in which he knew his cousin was trapped behind with the Dark Lord.

She had been in there for a long time, Severus wondered if the girl could handle herself in such a situation. What if she lost her nerve and gave herself away? What if he killed her?

Bellatrix too sat in the parlor with a glass of wine, though her lips never touched the glass. She was too busy glaring jealously in the direction on the door. What would the Dark Lord want with the Snape girl? Why would he seek an audience with her and not Bellatrix, when she, Bellatrix was his most devoted servant and went to Azkaban for him? What made this girl so special?

At that moment a horrible, long, high pitched scream issued from the closed door on the other side of the room.

Everyone was silent and their eyes all slide to the door. Severus froze, holding his drink half way to his mouth. Bellatrix began to laugh hysterically. Severus caught himself and raised the glass to his lips but did not drink and then lowered it again.

Everyone stared at the closed door where the horrible scream had come from, but it wasn't until after many long, cold minutes did the door finally open again.

Lord Voldemort emerged from it. His deatheaters' eyes followed his movement as if waiting for some sort of explanation of what had just happened or for any indication of what to do next; perhaps move the body, but the Dark Lord did not say a word, just walked past them all, out of the room with the snake at his heels.

Severus stood and began to walk towards to door, not too fast, but not too slow. He was about peer inside the room when he heard a loud pop of someone disapparating and when he finally looked inside there was no one there.