Chapter 35: Day 23 Ch 31 Spoilers
Day: Twenty- Three
Chapter: Thirty- One.
Chapter Title: Some Things Are Best Remained Uncovered (Or Hid Behind The Sofa...)
Time and Date: Saturday 5 April, 10:17
The cold swirling air wrenched his tears away from his cold face, and stung his eyes- but none the less Severus kept them open. He was strong, he could do this.
For Lily he would.
At last, Malfoy Manor came into focus- and Severus- in his current ah..., 'delicate' state had not apparated very well.
None the less, he could have done worse than behind the sofa. He could have been in the sofa.
No, that wouldn't have been very good.
From his vantage point, he noticed two people in the room. The only two people in the room, he realised- not sure why that surprised him.
After all- it wasn't a summons that made him arrive- it was just where else would he go after Albus failed him? He had no one else- his life consisted mainly of students, Albus Dumbledore and the Dark Lord.
He honestly wasn't sure what was worse- ignorant, arrogant students or the wrath of the Dark Lord.
Currently- the oh so powerful and mighty Tom Marvello Riddle, AKA Lord Voldemort wasn't that foreboding.
He had the svelte, albeit curvy, body of Bellatrix LeStrange practically moulded onto his own, almost every point of her body touching his- and her head rested softly on his shoulder, murmuring into his ear.
Had Severus banged his head at some point? For if he wasn't mistaken- and he didn't think he was, then the Oh-So-Scary Dark Lord was patting her head, consoling her about something so it looked.
Severus didn't know what to do. Hide behind the sofa, and pretend not to have seen any- thing? But what if they look and see him there? Or say something now- and risk both of their wrath?
Bellatrix lifted her head and laughed at something Voldemort said, her cackle high and cold. Perhaps the Dark Lord was feeding her addiction- telling her of the delights of life free from (Severus mentally shivered but he ignored it) Mud-bloods.
The Potions Master watched with increasing horror (and something like disgust) as the witch moved in front of the Dark Lord and began to move her hands up and down his arms.
Oh, Merlin no! Severus silently prayed- then as Voldemort looked up and Severus shrank behind the sofa the wizard also prayed that his mental shields were up.
A soft snake-like hiss of a murmur insured him that Riddle was none the wiser to his presence.
Sitting with his back to the sofa was actually rather comfy.
_How the hell can two of the darkest wizards/witches in time find love?_
He didn't mind sitting here.
_I'm dark. But I'm also good._
Yes, Severus didn't mind waiting here.
_So why don't I have anyone?_
As long as, Merlin forbid, they don't move to the sofa.
_Any more._
Severus gave a silent sigh, then placed his head in his hands. Who was he fooling?
The tears welled up in his eyes, and he willed them away; yet they remained.
He was a mess. An incomprehensible, shambled, mess.
The talking behind him grew louder, just as Severus gave an involuntary "Hic." from the sobs in his throat.
His back was shaking, and to be perfectly honest he was no longer aware of the room around him- only that his feet were cold, his heart was frozen, and there was a liquid on his face. Ah yet- the tears.
As Voldemort slammed the door with a wave of his hand after ordering drinks from Wormtail outside the room, he couldn't help but pick up an alien sound.
Sounded like it was coming from in here.
It wasn't Bella. No- she was gazing at him with a fevered adoration, and at the sign of his confusion she hurried over to him, and placed her hands on his shoulders- going on tip-toes to do so.
"My Lord?" She whispered, huskily.
"Silence." He ordered. "Listen." He held up a hand, scenting the air as he did so.
There was someone else in the room!
Before Bella even comprehended the emotions on his face, Voldemort had his wand in his hand and was blasting the sofa to pieces.
Too late did Bella fail to stop him- that was a priceless antique.
Scrap that. Ew- it had a Snape leaning on it.
How dare he? Spying on their conversation!
Bella too, whipped out her wand and stalked angrily over to the man, kicking him to make him look up.
Voldemort hung back, unsure about the situation. From there, he could tell the man was in no fit state for any- thing. He was... unstable.
The air around him was filled with tears- the man's aura was troubled.
Goosebumps of disgust rose upon the Dark Lord's arms as he saw the tears that ran down the man's face.
Oh Merlin- Now Bellatrix was crucio-ing him. He needed Severus later to brew him his liquid cruciatus! And his poisons! (and his beauty cream.)
"Easy, Bella." Voldemort took a step forward to the cowering man, disgusted but he knew he had to stop her killing him.
She cut off the curse-
No! No! Severus opened his eyes- and saw the Dark Lord hovering above him. Yes- yes he would give him his deserved death wouldn't he?
For sure- after all, Snape had violated his privacy.
And yet- those inhuman eyes showed a burning curiosity, a desire to know- not to hurt nor maim, but a new emotion that Severus had hardly ever seen in any face but his own, a desire for knowledge.
Why today- did Voldemort have to choose to be the day he would grow a heart?
Voldemort leant down, and placed a long, thin finger upon the man- and saw everything.
His past, his love for the girl; his present- the memory loss and the meeting; and the distinct lack of want of a future.
Ew, and Umbridge.
"What is it? What is it?" Bella asked, ravenous for the gossip like a vulture at a carcass.
"The man has been betrayed by Dumbledore." Voldemort said slowly, watching Severus's eyes.
Bella gasped, and looked from person to person. "So we no longer have a spy?" What did he do? The cretin!
"Dumbledore is sending Severus to his death." Voldemort neither confirmed nor denied.
"Please." A weak voice haunted them from the man below.
Bella raised an eyebrow. What?
"Never knew you would beg for mercy, Snape." Voldemort gloated, he still had it!
"No- please. Kill me." Severus begged, pulling himself up from lying down where he had fell, to bowing on his knees at the man's feet.
"What?" Voldemort took a step back. So his spy can take multiple crucaitus's- but not being told he's worthless?
A look from the man's troubled eyes hinted that there may have been more than that.
'Ah well. Long story short- Severus wanted to die.'
'Hmm... let me think- No!'
'I need him for my potions- he has to stay.'
"Get up." Voldemort hissed.
Scrambling to his shaky feet, Snape complied.
"Look at me." The Dark Lord whispered, choosing to ignore Bellatrix, who also complied.
"You will not die. I need you. I will be most disappointed if you die." Voldemort said, in his most compassionate way possible. Which, in reality, wasn't much.
Severus looked down, disappointed himself.
"If you die- I shall bring you back and torture you for every remaining second left that this miserable planet orbits the sun." Voldemort threatened.
Severus didn't even look up.
Bellatrix giggled, and moved behind Voldemort to stand at his other shoulder- the left hand one. She moved around to Severus, and put a finger underneath his chin, forcing him to look up.
"Still pining over a mud-blood?" She taunted, then threw him down to the floor in disgust when she got no reaction at all. "Would he really be such a waste if we killed him? We can get another potions maker."
"None with his skill." Voldemort went to leave the room.
"Were are you going?" Bella called after him.
The Dark Lord merely beckoned with his hand, and ever the faithful servant, Bellatrix followed.
A few minutes later Lucius Malfoy came into the room, sneering like the cat who had not only the bowl of cream, but a whole nest of mice, and an entire ice cream truck to itself.
"Severus?" He called tentatively at the door, wondering if it was all an elaborate hoax; but then upon seeing the broken-down man where his several million galleon settee used to be, it was all worth it.
The Potions Master was a quivering wreck already- and although Lucius couldn't have the satisfaction of saying he caused it- he sure as hell could add to it.
Take advantage of it.
Before long Severus' anguished screams echoed around the manor, accompanied by manic laughter.
Bellatrix huffed at the long table, annoyed at being left out.