After the Invigoration Draught had been bottled, and the potion lab had been thoroughly cleaned, Snape had taken her right back to her room. There had been no further conversation or offers of food, he just left her there. She sat in the chair beside her bed watching as he closed the door behind him, locking it with a quick twist of his hand before leaving her alone again in the dark of her room. The only light came from the moonbeams that crept through the window and onto her floor, casting a soft glow across everything. It was almost eerie.

Circe struggled to get comfortable in the plush velvet armchair, she couldn't help but think that as far as prison cells went, this one was luxurious. She thought of the screams of those who were held in the dungeons and she shuddered. If she could find a way to get herself out, maybe she could find a way to help them too. But for now, she sat in the chair, wandless and defenceless, stuck in the bedroom of a manor house surrounded by a small army of Death Eaters. She felt almost pathetic, complaining about her circumstances, when there were people being tortured and killed around her. She was right in the heart of the monster's lair, and it was probably the safest place she could be.

She thought about her family, wondering if they had managed to find a safe place. Circe knew her mother and father were both resourceful and powerful, perhaps enough to outwit Voldemort's forces. Her hands clasped together in silent fear for her parents, it was easy enough not to think about them when she was occupied, but here in the room, it was harder to shut off.

There was little she was achieving by wallowing in self-pity. If she allowed herself to fall into a deep hole of despair, she would become weak, too vulnerable to fight back. She would need every ounce of strength she possessed just to keep going, so she forced her mind from those dark thoughts, instead focusing on the task at hand.

She got up from the chair and began looking over the room again, opening every drawer, checking every corner and crevice. Deep down, she didn't expect to find anything, having already scoured the room the previous night. Her fingers trailed over the cold unbreakable glass of the windows, she was no closer to finding a way out of this room than when she started, and she was starting to lose hope, until something caught her attention. It was a small vial that was lying on the dresser, on top of a small, folded piece of parchment. She hadn't noticed it when she first came into the room, but now it glared at her, illuminated by silvery light. She picked up the bottle with two fingers and examined it closer, it contained a dark blue liquid that shimmered slightly as she shook it. Circe turned the vial in her hand noticing that there was something scrawled across the bottom of the vial, in tiny letters.

Anti V

She set it back down upon the dresser and picked up the parchment. There were only a few words on the tiny, torn square, but it was enough to tell her that she should drink the contents of the vial.

You will need this.

The parchment vanished from her fingertips in a small explosion of sparks, whoever had gone to the trouble of leaving this here for her, didn't want any evidence leaving. She noted that she was either incredibly brave or incredibly stupid as she brought the vial to her lips, steadying herself with a slow breath in through her nose.

She hesitated momentarily before she tipped it into her mouth, letting the potion fill her mouth, burning slightly as it made its way down her throat. Circe swallowed hard, waiting for the taste to fade, then tried another swallow. This time, it wasn't as bad, but still very bitter. Circe screwed up her face, trying to figure out what she had gotten herself into.

"What do you have there, girl?" a gruff voice demanded from behind her.

Circe looked behind her to see a tall thin man standing behind her, she recognised him instantly as Dolohov.

"Nothing," she said truthfully. The vial had disappeared, just like that parchment.

Dolohov marched over and grabbed her hands, flipping them over and grunting when he found nothing.

"Don't try anything funny," he sneered.

"She won't, she knows what we'd do to her if she did," Alecto Carrow crowed, swaggering into the room.

"Severus won't like it if you break her, Alecto," Dolohov warned as Alecto advanced on Circe.

"Who cares? I'm itching for some fresh meat. The ones in the dungeon aren't fun anymore," she said with a cackle, "Besides, why does Severus get an assistant? Think of how much I could get done with a little helper."

Dolohov shook his head, "You've got Amycus."

"Pfft, that useless lump," Alecto complained. She was right up against Circe now.

"Just grab the girl and let's get her down to the hall, he doesn't like to wait."

Alecto gripped Circe's arm tightly and hauled her out of the bedroom. Dolohov and Alecto marched her straight past the potions lab, as they reached the end of the hallway they turned right and descended a flight of stairs. A small nondescript door took them into a large hall, at its centre was a long wooden table made of ebony wood. There were carved letters around the edge of the table.

EXPURGATE ET PURIFICATE

"It says 'Cleanse and Purify' if you're wondering," Severus remarked, taking a long sip of wine.

"I know what it says."

He raised an eyebrow at her, the rim of his glass at his lips.

Alecto and Dolohov forced her into a tall backed chair, made from the same wood as the table. Grim, gargoyle type faces were carved into the apex of the backrest.

"Thank you, Dolohov, Alecto. You can go now."

Alecto pulled a pouty face as Dolohov pulled her out of the room, grumbling audibly as the door closed behind them with a small creak.

"What is this?" Circe asked once they were alone.

"The Dark Lord has questions for you," Severus drawled, swirling the last of the wine around his glass.

Her heart sank, "What questions? I've done nothing wrong."

"Did you think that he would just allow an outsider to come here without conducting an interview?"

"But you said..."

"That he allowed me to choose, yes. That doesn't mean that he trusts you," he pursed his lips together and drummed his fingers lightly against the table as he regarded her.

"Drink?" he continued, placing a second glass beside his own, filling them both from a decanter.

"No, thank you," Circe answered, waving away the glass.

"I insist," Severus said forcefully, sliding the glass across the table.

Circe felt him watching her as she drank the wine. The warmth from the alcohol was at odds with the icy fingers of unease crawling up her spine, beneath her skin. Even though he appeared calm, she knew that something was wrong.

"Is our guest ready, Severus?" a low, raspy voice spoke from the darkest corner of the room.

"Yes, my Lord," Snape replied, his face was hard and blank.

"Good," the voice replied, drawing out the word.

Circe saw something move in the darkness behind Snape, the billowing of a robe, slow steady footsteps. The owner of the voice stepped out into the candlelight, she knew who it was before she could see him, of course. That didn't make the sight of him up close any less terrifying.

His skin was pale and waxy, with dark eyes that were set far into his skull, hooded by heavy brows and rimmed with red. He stood behind Snape's chair, placing long, bony fingers on Snape's shoulder.

"Yesss. She's pretty, is she not?"

Severus shrugged, "I chose her for her abilities. Her looks are inconsequential, my Lord."

"Of course, of course," Voldemort rasped, seating himself between Circe and Snape, "Circe, is it?"

"Yes," Circe swallowed hard, "My Lord."

She felt strange, calling him that. The man who so many feared, who had witches and wizards gripped by terror. She longed for her wand, she could end it all now.

"Tell me, do you know the Order of the Phoenix?" Voldemort asked her.

"I... don't know what that is," she replied honestly.

"Very good," his lips stretched into a thin smile, "My loyal servant, Severus, has chosen you to help him further our cause. Can he trust you?"

"Yes."

"Do you desire to hurt him?"

"No."

"Do you seek to try and unravel my work?"

"No."

"Do you pledge yourself... to me?"

Circe hesitated, her gaze flicked to Severus who sat stony faced and silent, "Yes."

Voldemort sat stiffly, staring at her for a few seconds before clasping his thin fingers together, "I see a lot of fear in her, Severus."

"Fear is a powerful thing, my Lord. Fear keeps them loyal."

"You make an excellent point. You may take her back to her room."

"Thank you, my Lord."

Severus bowed and ushered Circe from the hall, back through the small side door. He walked in silence behind her, the only sounds came from the swish of his robes and his footsteps. As they neared the potions lab, Snape grunted and gestured for her to enter, Circe did as she was told.

No sooner had the door closed with a thud and a click than Snape advanced on Circe, backing her up against the table.

"Do you wish to get yourself killed?" he spat in a low voice.

"I..." Circe stammered, lost for words.

"You openly thought of despatching Voldemort, in his presence. Had I not been observing your mind and been fast enough to cast a false memory charm, you would have been killed... Instantly!" he said quietly, his voice harsh through gritted teeth.

"I didn't."

"You dare lie to me?" Severus slammed a hand against the table, "As you lied right to his face?"

"I'm sorry," Circe sniffed.

Snape grabbed a handful of Circe's dress in his first, "It is only because of me that you were able to lie to him in the first place."

She winced and tensed her body, "I don't understand."

"Your wine was laced with Veritaserum. You drank the antidote before you came, did you not?"

"The antidote? That was you?... But why?" Circe asked, relaxing a little in his grip.

"Because I would hate to see your talents go to waste. I knew that he would want to question you, using both Veritaserum and Legilimency. Fortunately, both of which I can protect against. But I won't always be there," he released his grasp on her dress, "I will teach you to protect your mind... Starting now."