CHAPTER FORTY-SEVEN—Think Bigger

.

The snow paused just before the sun began to sink. Severus and Alecto had a constitutional around the lake before they were to report to Malfoy Manor with Amycus and Draco. Alecto had her arm looped through his. He normally would not condone such touching, even if he was interested in Alecto, lest any of the schoolchildren see them. How he spent his time and who he spent it with was none of their business. However, he needed information from her.

"I notice the Lovegood girl has been out all week," he said.

"Oh, right," Alecto replied. "Dougal mentioned it at the party—she's at Malfoy Manor."

Severus raised an eyebrow.

"For all the shite Xeno keeps publishing," Alecto explained. "She's a pureblood, so I don't think they'll kill her. But Narcissa wouldn't let anyone go to the basement to bother her and Dougal was annoyed about it."

"I see."

Alecto rucked up her collar. "Ollivander is also down there."

"Narcissa keeps amassing more and more guests."

Alecto giggled and leaned closer so her torso was against his arm. "It's Pettigrew's job to keep them fed. Them and the snake. Terrible job, if you ask me," she shuddered. "Doesn't Nagini eat rats?"

"I assume Nagini eats whatever she wants." Wizards included, he thought, recalling Arthur's precarious stint in St Mungo's.

"I'm more of a dog person," she concluded, memories of watching Nagini swallow live rats whole during some meetings at the top of her mind.

They went on in this manner, studiously not insulting the Dark Lord's snake as they walked towards the front gate when the sky turned to dusk. Amycus and Draco met them, Amycus scowling at their twined arms, Draco smirking at Amycus's scowl. The four Disapparated to Malfoy Manor.

Severus lingered at Alecto's side in the dining room until a few minutes before the Dark Lord entered. Amycus hated it. He drummed his fingers on the table and huffed and crossed his arms and tried to draw Alecto into a conversation but Alecto kept turning back to Severus.

Narcissa's lips pinched at the corner. Perhaps she also thought he could do better than Alecto Carrow.

Severus saw Pettigrew sneak out from a side door—to the basement, perhaps, lending credence to what Alecto had said about prisoners. Severus took his leave from Alecto's side and found his usual seat next to Draco.

The Dark Lord entered the room and Pettigrew hurried to pull out his throne for him.

It seemed the Dark Lord was in a good mood. He reclined in his seat, a king above peasants. A god above the devout. "We will soon make our move. I want everyone to be ready at a moment's notice. No trips abroad; no long nights at the Leaky Cauldron."

A few people were cowed with just one pointed look from the Dark Lord. And Severus was suddenly struck with extreme paranoia. Where was his bloody snake? Now would be the time she hopped on the table to point out people she knew would break the Dark Lord's rules. In the basement standing guard, perhaps?

"Rodolphus—please tell everyone what you told me earlier today."

Bellatrix crinkled her nose and grinned, her hand clutching his arm in pride. It used to be adorable.

"The spell was a success, my lord. And Nagini is squared away at Bathilda Bagshot's house."

A slow, evil grin took over the Dark Lord's face as some people murmured in confusion. "Perfect."

"I expect she'll be fully mobile in the next week or so, my lord."

Why did the Dark Lord need Bathilda Bagshot, of all people, under an Imperius? What use did he have for an old author that hadn't left her house in years?

The Dark Lord, voice thrummed with pleasure, said, "I would expect a regime change at Hogwarts within the next month or so, Draco. Do you think the school is ready?"

Draco smirked at Severus. "I know I am, my lord."

"All my pieces are falling into place," the Dark Lord said. This was the most relaxed he had ever been.

On the walk up to the castle, Amycus and Alecto chattered endlessly about the changes Severus would surely institute when he became headmaster. Draco looked queasy, now that the Dark Lord couldn't see him.

Ah. So he was still meant to kill Dumbledore.

Which meant Severus was still on the hook should Draco fail.

Severus planned to ramp up production of the antivenin, restoratives, and Strengthening Solution he brewed for Albus every day.

The night had started out on a somewhat positive note, having determined Miss Lovegood's whereabouts. So of course this would happen. Why should anything ever go his way? Why wouldn't shite keep getting piled on?

He didn't…want to be headmaster.

And he certainly didn't want to kill for the job.

He and Draco continued on to the dungeons in silence. The twins went upstairs, still deep in debate about what they would do with the Mudbloods currently in the school once Severus took over.

Severus paused in front of his office door and was surprised when Draco did as well.

"What happens when—when you use an Unforgivable?"

If the boy wanted to be reassured, he probably shouldn't tell him the Killing Curse would split his soul in half.

"You have to mean it," Severus said.

Draco's Adam's apple bobbed. "And if I don't?"

Severus put his hand on the boy's shoulder. "I will be there."

Draco's eyes brightened, though he still looked nervous.

Severus…absolutely…

Would have to be the one to kill Albus.

Draco continued on to his common room.

Severus stepped into his office. He rested his back against the door.

He had been…so thankful when Bellatrix killed Slughorn. He thought that relieved both him and Draco of their task to kill Albus. But he should have known. The Dark Lord's vindictiveness knew no bounds.

But…if the Dark Lord was to finally make a move on Albus…that meant he must trust Severus enough to replace him as headmaster. Albus would call that a blessing.

Severus let his head thunk back against the door.

"What's wrong?" Hermione came in with a stack of marked papers.

The witch didn't hide anything. Didn't try to mask any emotion on her face, or in the way her hands fidgeted or gesticulated.

It would make it all the more difficult to look at her disgust. It would…pain him, to see the disgust on her face, when she realized he was a murderer. He could admit that much. He thought Albus a fool for foisting Hermione on him but their marriage meant that at least one person had to give a shite about his well-being through this Hellish maze of his duplicity.

But for now, he could deliver her some good news. "Miss Lovegood is at Malfoy Manor."

"Malfoy Manor!" She set the essays on his desk. "Why?"

"Punishment for The Quibbler."

Hermione's thumb jumped up to her mouth. "Oh no—is she alright, though? I mean, are they—?"

"She will be treated better than most," he murmured.

The panic radiated off her. Perhaps he should have learned his lesson to be gentle in breaking bad news; he had made her cry the last time she had been upset and half-blind.

"Yes, you're probably right." As she wandered back into the sitting room, he heard her mumble, "I have to tell Neville."