Second Chances



Chapter 01: Prove yourself!



A dark room that could be anywhere. Cauldrons, fires, potion ingredients- a lab. A tall, dark-haired man stirring a thick liquid.

Severus Snape was nervous. He surely had enough reason to be. Ever since his return to the Dark Lord he couldn't get rid of the impression that Voldemort knew of his continued spying. Oh, of course, he had punished his disloyal servant. More than once in fact. He still did. Severus couldn't remember having seen Poppy so often since his school days when she had taught a medical potions class. But he was still alive.

He wondered what his former master was up to. Though he was not sure if he really wanted to know.

Checking the potion, he saw that it was almost finished. That was another piece of the puzzle. What the hell did Voldemort need Polyjuice Potion for? Especially after the whole Barty-Crouch-Jr.-Affair Albus had taken to keeping an even closer eye on nearly everyone who entered the halls of the school. Although the headmaster had been severely limited by the restrictions the Ministry of Magic had made, he had managed to keep Severus in his position and have the blasted werewolf return to teach DADA. He scowled. A pity no one else had applied for the job and the Ministry had made it quite clear that Severus had to be grateful he was allowed to stay as a Potions Master. He should never have showed his mark to that idiot, Fudge. Didn't do any good, that.


He sighed. He had greater worries at the moment. The Dark Lord had called him more frequently during the last months, testing his loyalty, and though he was reluctant to admit it, it started to wear him out. He feared he would make a mistake someday soon and it would be his last. And although he went to every Summoning with the knowledge he that he would one day not return, he still answered the calls. It was the least he could do after he had failed them- had failed Lily- so miserably. He had vowed to protect her and yet she was dead now. It would take a lot of suffering on his side to make up for that in his lifetime. If he ever could, that is.

With a start he woke from his thoughts as the potion changed its color. 'Get a grip on yourself, Severus! Self-pity won't get you out of here alive.' He dimmed the fire so that it would keep the potion simmering and tried to muster the energy to face Voldemort once again. With a bit of luck he would be back to Hogwarts soon. And while it was Christmas holidays, he thankfully wouldn't have to put up with all the noisy dunderheads calling themselves students and could have dinner in his rooms instead after reporting to Albus. That thought cheered him up and he left the room for the halls where the Dark Lord resided.



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The room he entered was quite big with high ceilings. A throne-like armchair was standing on an elevated area in front of the huge fireplace, the dancing flames surrounding the throne like an aura and obscuring the person on it. Only the eyes, glowing for a brief moment, gave away the Dark Lord's presence.
Smooth strides took Severus to the middle of the room, where he sank down on one knee, bowing his head. The hall fell silent when the other Death Eaters gathered in a half-circle around him as was proper protocol. The silence lasted a full minute before the Dark Lord decided to address his servant.

"Severus. I take it the potion is finished?"
"Yes, my Master. Everything is ready for the last ingredient."
"How much could you prolong the effect?"
"I managed to make it last two and a half hours, my Master. All above that requires an amount of Boomslang skin that would render it poisonous."

Murmur rose around him. Of the many Potions Masters who had tried, Severus Snape was the first to accomplish that delicate task. He was one of the best indeed and had once again proved his worth to the Dark Lord. Voldemort raised a spidery hand and the voices died down.

"I never expected anything less from you."
"I live to serve you, my Master"
"Indeed?" So softly. Then: "You may rise, Severus."

Severus did so in one fluid motion, keeping his eyes down in feigned respect.
The Dark Lord eyed him warily.

"You were once one of my most loyal Death Eaters, Severus. Then you turned to that antiquated fool, Dumbledore. I could have killed you when you came back to me again. But I chose not to. You are highly gifted in both Potions and the Dark Arts. A shame to waste such precious knowledge. So you were given a second chance.
Now the time has come to prove you were worthy of this honor. To show me I can trust you again. To become what you once have been: my true servant."

Severus had grown colder with every word. What would Voldemort ask of him this time?

"Look at me, Severus."

He lifted his gaze obediently until black eyes met red.

"Dumbledore watches his school far too closely now for any of us to achieve our goals. But I have found a way that will enable us to get rid of the old Muggle-lover, take over Hogwarts and along with it Harry Potter as well. The potion was the first part of it. But it still lacks the last ingredient."

The Dark Lord locked his gaze with Severus'.

"Hair," he said gently, but with steel behind it."Your hair, my Severus. Dumbledore's trust is his great weakness. His trust in you will make me able to access the castle and kill him before he even realizes that it is not not you who casts the deadly curse on him. Without him, the Potter Boy stands no chance and the Wizarding World will be ours again."

He paused and looked at Severus expectantly.

"What do you say, my servant? Will you help me with my plan and return to your former greatness? Or was Lucius right, and the years with the old fool have made you change your heart?"


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A/N: Nasty choice poor Severus has to make, eh? Will he find a way to save Hogwarts? Will he want to? You'll see... soon.


Greetings,
Scheckie