Alright! So here's Chappie number 3! I was so glad to come home after my little vacation to my beloved computer, but right now I can't get on fanfiction, so hopefully by the time I've typed this up everything will be good ^_^

As we all know, I do not own HP

~blah, blah~ thank you for your thoughts Severus

Chapter Three

"Wasn't that great!?"

The others nodded silently in agreement at Bellatrix's exclamation. The speech had left

them all in a state of awe, and certainly a lot to think about. Riddle had definitely

penetrated Severus' mind; he couldn't stop thinking about him, about what he had said.

Severus had never really before noticed how the Muggleborns and Muggles were

suffocating the Wizarding Community. Sure, his father ranted and raved about it often,

but Severus hardly considered his father worthy of his attention; not after all he had done.

Riddle just made everything...make sense. Why should anything and everything Muggle

hold him back and prevent him from growing to his fullest, physically and magically?

"Snape."

Severus stopped and turned with a raised eyebrow at Lucius who was quickly making his

way towards the Slytherins. Severus noticed a thin layer of sweat at the brim of Lucius'

white mane and the jerky movements the usually smooth and savvy man was making.

"The rest of you go back to Hogwarts." Lucius said, glaring at them, as if daring them to

argue, "I need Severus for the moment; I will send him back shortly."

The group looked surprised, but complied nonetheless. Each took a hold of a newly

formed Portkey and Severus watched as they all disappeared back to Hogwarts.

"What's this about?" Severus demanded, frowning and crossing his arms.

Malfoy frowned as well and beckoned the boy after him, "Don't be smart Severus."

"Why shouldn't I be?" he hissed back, the silent halls making him adjust his volume,

"Once again, you are not telling me what's going on! I realize we are not on the same

'social level', but you're the one who seems to always want me over!"

"Just get in and don't speak unless you are told to."

He was pushed lightly out onto the balcony that overviewed the vast grounds of the

Malfoy Mansion. The stars were twinkling brightly above in the night sky and reflected

brilliantly off the surface of the enormous lake, which Tom Riddle was looking intently

upon with his hands clasped tightly behind his back.

Severus swallowed the lump that had formed in his throat and turned his attention

intently to Lucius, trying to inquire without talking as to why he was here. Lucius,

however, appeared quite nervous himself. He took a few steps closer to Riddle, but

stopped before he was even three steps away from his original position.

"My Lord?" Lucius whispered tentatively.

Severus' eyes widened and his jaw dropped. ~What the hell!?~

"What is it Lucius?" came the silky, yet seemingly annoyed reply. Riddle still hadn't

turned around, his shoulders slumping a bit, as if trying to force himself to relax.

"Lord, I would like to introduce you to Severus Snape." Lucius said graciously.

Severus bit the inside of his check in slight frustration, but also to keep himself from

cracking up. Since when had Lucius become so submissive? And why was he calling

Riddle, 'Lord'? Surely the superior Lucius Malfoy, rich, powerful, and beautiful would

never succumb to this type of behavior, as if he were a lowly servant! Severus chuckled

inwardly, but quickly abandoned those thoughts and began to again wonder why he was

here and when he could go back to Hogwarts.

~If I get caught and expelled I'll kill Lucius...and then Rosier~

Finally Riddle turned and raised one black eye brow delicately. Severus took in a breath;

if Lucius was powerful, then this man was the ultimate dominating force. Power just

seemed to radiate off him, and his features gave him an air of mystery, adding to that

electrifying power.

"Savio Snape's son?"

"Yes lord."

Severus frowned. How did Riddle know his father? He hadn't seen the elder Snape at

tonight's rally; the last he had seen of him was last night as he left his father's dungeons.

However, it appeared Riddle must have known his father, for he gave him a pensive

look before motioning for Severus to take a seat on the bench next to him. Severus

moved hesitantly forward and took a seat at the end of the bench farthest away from

Riddle, staring out at the lake as he had been doing and trying to ignore the knot winding

itself in his stomach.

He saw out of the corner of his eye Riddle give him a piercing look before waving Lucius

off. Lucius bowed and quickly retreated back indoors. Severus was now very glad he

was sitting down, or else he would have fell over. Lucius...bowing? Lucius Malfoy? As

the man had often said: A Malfoy bows to no one. Lucius, the typical hypocrite.

But Severus NEVER thought he would live to see the day when Lucius bowed to anyone.

"Tell me Severus," Riddle's silky voice interrupting his stupor, "What talent could you

possibly possess to give Lucius the courage to introduce us?"

Once again, he was taken aback. The warm, charming Tom Riddle of only a few

moments ago had fled his face and his demeanor. In it's place was a cold, hard man,

frowning down at him unpleasantly with his arms crossed.

~What does he mean talent? Talent for what, exactly? The ability to solve his 'Muggle

problem'?~

Collecting his guts, he stared at Riddle straight in the eye and responded, "I'm afraid I

don't understand what you are asking."

Severus felt extremely stupid saying that, but really it was hardly his fault! He didn't

know what was going on...

Severus braced himself for the onslaught of rage that was likely to come from Riddle.

But, yet again, the bizarre happened: Riddle smiled. It wasn't a huge smile, but

noticeable enough seeing as the man had been quite visibly scowling at him beforehand.

Riddle shook his head, as if amused by his question and seated himself next to Severus

on the bench, making the boy feel extremely uncomfortable because of their close

proximity.

Riddle once again stared out at the luminous lake as he said patiently, "Just tell me what

you're good at, what you enjoy doing."

Severus surveyed him suspiciously, his lips pressed tightly together before saying simply,

"Potions."

Riddle looked thoughtful, "Really? Potions is quite a complex subject, especially for

someone your age."

Severus snorted, "Hardly. Only for imbeciles who cannot grasp the simple concepts of it.

When I get into Advance Potions, then the complexity and challenge of the subject will

become more demanding."

Riddle smirked, "But that's not to say that you don't do those advanced potions on your

own time now, is it."

It was a statement. Severus wasn't sure how he knew that, but he nodded once in

confirmation anyways.

"Severus, I have a job for you!" Riddle said excitedly as he stood up, as if no longer able

to keep still.

Severus hid his surprise and waited for Riddle to continue. Riddle smiled again, as if

pleased by this.

"I want you to brew me Veritaserum!"

Severus had never been so shocked in his life! First he ends up at the Malfoy Manor with

no explanation, then he's blown away by Riddle's speech, next he's introduced to the

man, and now he wanted his help to brew the most powerful truth-telling potion ever!?

"Me? Surely you have someone much more qualified to brew Veritaserum? I've never

brewed it before! It is a very complex potion, and I wouldn't have access to all the

ingredients, and what if a professor found it? I couldn't possibly-"

"Severus." He cut him off, "Do you really think I would be asking you to do this if I

didn't have the fullest confidence in you? And I will supply you with the ingredients

through Lucius. Don't worry, you're a careful and cunning Slytherin; you will not be

caught."

"But-"

"No buts," he cut across again, "I will also supply you with several books that will aid

you, and as I said, all the ingredients in due time. You are your father's son! I know you

are as skilled as he, probably more so! Now I think it is time you return to your school

and get a decent nights rest; we wouldn't want you to sleep in on your first day back!"

Severus nodded dumbly and allowed Riddle to push a tiny snake figurine into his hands.

Not a second later he was transported back to the Slytherin House, right on his bed.

Looking around, he saw the outline of drapes pulled closed on all the other's beds and the

complete darkness of the room.

Sighing, he brought the little figure closer to his eyes. It was silver with emerald

gleaming eyes, with it's tail in three spirals. He set it down gingerly on his nightstand

before throwing off his robes and pulling on his nightshirt as he climbed into bed.

Lying on his side, his last coherent thought was of when Riddle had placed the snake in

his hands, was of how the man's hands had been colder than the snake.

o.O What's gonna happen next MadHatter? lol We'll just have to wait and see.....;)