Snape only lazily raised his head to look up when the heavy wooden door opened and two of the Death Eaters appeared in the doorway. They threw Lupin into the room more than pushing him and he ended up on the ground. Without saying a word they closed the door again and left the two wizards on their own.
What took you so long? Snape asked in a low voice, still sitting on the ground in the corner but looking at Lupin instead of staring down at his own feet now.
Lupin moaned and tried to get out of the quite uncomfortable position of lying face first on the cold stone floor. I didn't really expect them to kick and punch me... He muttered.
Physically attacking someone involves a much greater amount of violence than just waving a wand, I suppose that's why we like it. Snape replied.
I fail to see much of an 'us' in you and them. Lupin said and ran his hands through his hair.
Still there is. There has to be. Snape said dryly.
They sat in silence for what seemed to be an eternity, Snape in the corner of the room, Lupin a few feet away from him in front of the door. There were no windows so it was dark except for the thin line of weak light that came creeping in from under the door. Lupin finally got up, walked over to the wall and sat down next to his colleague.
They're going to kill us, right? He asked.
Snape replied. It's how traitors are dealt with. As for you... in case Voldemort thinks you could be of any use to him, you will live. An Imperius maybe.
I'd rather die.
A sad smile crossed Snape's face. I do hope you will have a choice.
And you're just going to sit there waiting for Voldemort to arrive?
Snape arched an eyebrow. He's coming here in person? What an honour. He sneered.
Lupin smiled and when Snape looked at him they both started to grin. Now we're desperate, aren't we? Lupin said and Snape nodded. Anyway, I know your brain is said to work at its best as soon as you're under pressure, so do you have any idea at all what we should be doing? Because I definitely don't.
Well, that depends. Do you want to fight the inevitable or rather just accept it? Snape replied.
Inevitable? Never thought you were one to give up that easily. Lupin said.
I suppose this means we're going to fight. Getting out of this room would be a good start, any suggestions?
If there were any secret passages out of here you probably wouldn't be sitting here anymore, right? Lupin asked.
Five points to Gryffindor.
Lupin smiled. So we need some sort of a plan then...
You betrayed us! Again and again you betrayed us! Lupin shouted. And now you're going to again? They're going to kill you, no matter what you do! I should never have trusted you.
You never did, none of you! I don't care if I'll live or die. Snape replied. All I want right now is to do the right thing, for once in my life.
But you can't tell them! You're going to kill us, all of us, you'll give them the power to win this war.
Snape replied. Get it, Lupin, that's what I want!
They were standing face to face, a few steps away from each other and both immediately went silent and looked over to the door when it was slowly opening.
Shut up you two! The Death Eater roared, his wand raised. What are you talking about there?
Didn't you just say you wanted us to shut up? Lupin asked.
You shut up! The Death Eater growled and glared at him, then turning to Snape. You speak.
Let me talk to Griffin, I have some information for him. Snape replied.
Severus, you can't do that. Lupin said. Please, you can't...
Shut up or I'll kill you right here and now! The Death Eater barked at Lupin and then paused to think, obviously trying hard to figure out what to make of this. Lupin could barely hide a smile when he saw Snape roll his eyes at this. You will both come upstairs with me. He finally said. He was clearly following the order not to leave one of them unattended, so he had no choice but to take them both with him. Although it wouldn't really have been too much of a risk to leave a wizard without his wand in a locked room, but one thing a Death Eater learned was that orders weren't there to be questioned. Snape was pleased, this part had worked out just the way they had planned it. All they had to do now was to wait for them to make a mistake.
Griffin Haley didn't really have to think about Snape's offer. The only thing on his mind was the glorious career he was in for when bringing such valuable information to his leader. Not for a second he doubted that Snape really had all this information he was talking about.
So now you want to return to where you belong? He asked, pacing up and down in front of his two captives.
Yes, I do. I regret what I did. Snape said, his head bowed. I don't expect our lord to forgive me but at least I want to try and pay my debts to him.
Griffin stopped in front of him. Look at me. Snape did as he was told and slowly raised his head, showing submissiveness and completely hiding any trace of arrogance.
Watching this scene Lupin realized that Snape definitely was more of a talented actor and liar than he had ever given him credit for.
So go ahead, tell me all you know and I shall think about putting in a good word for you as soon as Lord Voldemort will arrive. Griffin said and smiled at him. If it wouldn't have been for the role he was trying to play Snape would have burst out into laughter. Haley overrated his position so clearly it was nothing but ridiculous. Voldemort wouldn't care about what he had to say, he'd rather kill him right away for showing the impudence of even opening his mouth.
So Snape started to tell him. He gave him names of Death Eaters spying for the Ministry, he told him about the Ministry's plans of attacking certain hiding places and Haley's grin broadened with every word he said.
He's telling lies! Lupin suddenly shouted, jumped forward and was immediately held back by two of the dark wizards.
Snape turned around and glared at him. Shut up, werewolf, nobody will believe you.
You can't trust him, he turned traitor to both sides! Lupin continued. He's betraying you just like he betrayed us and you're letting him fool you! He started to grin and shook his head. I didn't think you were that stupid.
Lupin had expected he would at least receive another punch in the face for this remark but the Death Eaters were obviously too caught up with thinking about what he had just said.
He's right, Griffin. What are we going to do? One of them asked.
We can't risk giving wrong information to our lord, we would die for that. Aidenn Thistle said.
Lupin hid a smile. Snape had been right, it was just too easy to confuse them.
Let's use a Cruciatus, he won't be able to bear that very long. Lupin winced when he heard the first man make this suggestion.
Griffin replied. I told you all before, no dark magic!
Why not actually? Thistle asked.
Because that's Voldemort's orders! As soon as we use any dark magic the Ministry is going to know where we are, this place is not protected in any way! Haley replied, shaking his head at the stupidity they were showing once again. There are other ways to make him tell the truth... Geraint, Aidenn, go and take the werewolf back down to the basement and keep an eye on him. We'll be going for a little walk.
Lupin caught a glance from Snape clearly showing him that he had no idea what they were up to either.