Title: Venomous

Author: Phinea Rogue

Rating: PG-13 for now

I don't own anything, don't sue me, they all belong to JKR . . .

I should be writing my thesis, but my Serious Muse has left me and only this Demon Muse remained fooling around with me, putting Snape into my head instead of Huxley and Orwell. So here comes Harry again with a furious suspecting Voldemort and a helpless Severus.

Chapter Four

Harry stood frozen in the kitchen. Convinced that he was imagining things, he rubbed his eyes, but Dumbledore was still there. Dumbledore. What had made him come to Privet Drive? Something horrible must have happened. The vision of yesterday materialized before him. Snape kneeling in front of Voldemort, bones breaking, and the sharp cry . . . had he been killed? But Dumbledore smiled at him, though he seemed worried. How odd to see him talking to Aunt Petunia and . . . Harry almost burst out laughing when he saw the familiar long beard and white hair, and a ridiculous T-shirt with a bright blue 'Lemon Drops Forever' inscription. Dumbledore lowered his gaze to the T-shirt.

'Ah this . . . this is a gift. Nice to see you, Harry. I've just discussed everything with your aunt.'

Discussed what? Harry felt a dreadful premonition size his heart. What was going on? And without him, as usually!

'There, there, Harry, don't give me that look. You remind me of Professor Snape.'

At once Harry's frown disappeared. The mere mention of the name made him want to get his wand and curse the greasy git. Pretending that he hadn't noticed his anger, Dumbledore turned around to Petunia who looked positively frightened at having him in her kitchen.

'Don't worry, Petunia, Mr Rogue is a discreet man and this is only a temporary decision.'

Not convinced and not at all delighted, Petunia nevertheless nodded. Afterwards, she excused herself quickly, leaving them alone. Whoever that Rogue person was, Harry didn't like the sound of his name and headmaster's visit to Privet Drive was disturbing him. What was its purpose? Dumbledore put his hand on Harry's shoulder and smiled through his worried expression. In a whisper, he said,

'Harry, this may come as a shock to you, but please, understand its importance. Professor Snape will continue teaching you Occlumency.'

Harry's jaw dropped. More lessons with Snape? In summer? This had to be another nightmare. Air seemed to have gone out of his lungs as he forgot to breathe.

'We have to be careful, so call him Seraphin Rogue when you're not alone with him. Will you remember it?'

How can he do this to him? Snape may still be a Death Eater and allowing someone like him into the house . . . But despite the utter terror squeezing his heart, Harry laughed,

'Seraphin?'

'He's going to kill me for that,' twinkled Dumbledore's eyes. 'A small personal revenge. Isn't he just like an angel?'

A fallen angel straight from the hell, thought Harry.

§§

Severus was truly astonished when he saw he had apparated home. The Dark Lord was there, standing in Snape Manor's living room, his pet Nagini hissing at his side. The snake slid slowly to Snape who took a step backwards, wary of what Nagini might do. Voldemort's horrid red eyes glittered unnaturally in the dark room like two shiny drops of blood. With that huge snake Severus didn't feel like going down to his knees, therefore he only bowed deeply, wondering why the other Death Eaters hadn't been summoned.

'Where have you been, Severus?'

Voldemort's blood freezing voice rolled out of his mouth like an ugly serpent, venom deadly in his teeth. He glided to him like a Dementor would, his robes whispering menacingly.

'Where have you been, Severus?' he repeated the question as he neared the younger wizard. Severus fought hard the urge to tell the truth, the effect of Veritaserum was fading slowly. His head ached with effort.

'At . . . at Hogwarts,' he replied quietly and as politely as he could, yet painfully aware that it sounded like a lie. The Dark Lord laughed coldly and his crimson gaze moved to regard something behind him. Before Snape could follow his eyes, strong arms grasped him. Somebody stood behind him, holding his arms in a forceful grip.

Voldemort's face leaned closer to his and Severus couldn't help not to flinch at the sight of his ghastly expression. He seemed to be studying him as his skeletal fingers reached out to trace Snape's cheek. Severus fought the urge to vomit when he felt those disgusting fingers on his face. Voldemort, to his horror, noticed his disgust.

'Am I so repulsive?'

The one holding him tightened his grip and a smell of alcohol hit Severus's nostrils. His heart stopped for a moment. His father? No, no, it can't be him! The shock must have shown in his face (Damned Moody and his Veritaserum, how could he control his expression now?) because the Dark Lord's lips curled in a sneer.

'Yes, Severus, it's your beloved father behind you,' he laughed and pointed his wand at the Potions Master. In an affectionate tone, he spoke the merciless words, 'Crucio!'

§§

Harry's hands flew to his burning scar. Voldemort was angry, Voldemort was furious, he could feel the rage explode within him, directed to one man. A scream pierced his ears.

§§

He struggled in his father's strong arms, but couldn't escape. The two men only laughed at his futile attempts to free himself. Tarquinius held him fast to allow Voldemort hit Severus anywhere it pleased him. Nagini's hissing rose, ready to attack him at any time.

'Where have you been?' roared the Dark Lord as he struck Snape hard across the face. The Hogwarts teacher gave no answer and wondered whether Voldemort was losing his sanity. Why was he that furious? The older Snape yanked his hair and pulled, so that Severus was once again looking straight up at Voldemort who put the tip of his wand between his eyes. Would it be the merciful Avada Kedavra or something more creative?

'Where have you been, Severus?' came the question in a calmer tone.

Severus felt the immense power of Voldemort radiating through the wand and he hurried to close his eyes feeling the Dark Lord's probing on his mind.

'You need to weaken him more, master, he's a stubborn little bastard.'

His father's words stabbed him deeper than any torturing curse and Voldemort sensed it right, understood it. He motioned for Tarquinius to stand up and leave his son on the floor. Tarquinius walked over to the Dark Lord and together they pointed their wands at Severus, who frowned, but then something sorrowful settled in his face.

§§

Harry screamed when the force of double Cruciatus slammed the teacher to the ground. But someone was shaking him and when he opened his eyes, he saw Dumbledore's troubled face. 'They're torturing him, professor! Voldemort and another man!'

'Fight it, Harry, don't think about it. Take a deep breath, again, again . . . that's it. Don't think, clear your mind. Close your eyes and breathe deeply . . ."

But despite the calming voice, the boy could feel tears underlining it.

§§

Severus lay quietly on the black marble floor, pain coursing though every cell of his tensed body. Someone's arms lifted him, but he couldn't even hold his head up and it rolled back weakly. It had to be his father if he could lift him as easily as if he was a light feather. Where was he carrying him? How come that the pain wasn't fading? He felt as if someone had stabbed him with hundred knives and had left them in his body. His arms fell limply like his head and he gasped when his hand hit the doorframe. Someone laughed and even that sound was painful to him. Someone said his name, but he couldn't react. Blessed darkness, where are you?

He was lowered onto a bed and somebody was unfastening his shoes. Definitely his father, obsessed with having everything clean. And then he was gone, leaving him with the Dark Lord. Cold fingers were burning his cheeks with their chilliness as they turned his face.

With a concern in his eyes, Voldemort asked softly, 'Why do you seek to anger me, Severus?' Why do you seek to anger me, Severus?

'Headmaster . . .' murmured Severus weakly.

§§

'How are you feeling, Harry?'

'The vision's gone, but I can feel his anger . . . his rage . . . it has intensified . . . he wants to kill!'

§§

The claw-like cold fingers around his throat were suffocating him. 'Headmaster?' hissed Voldemort angrily, increasing the pressure on Snape's pale throat. 'How dare you, Snape, to . . . mention . . . think of . . . that Muggle loving old fool . . . in my presence!' he shouted. Severus could barely restrain himself from screaming when he saw the maniac gleam in the read eyes. No, he wasn't prepared to die, not yet, not now. Did hell exist? Were the devils waiting for him there?

'Please . . . my lord . . .' he choked as the pressure lessened a bit. Severus coughed, struggling to get air into his lungs. 'Forgive me . . . master . . .' Very brave of me, he thought, begging for life. I can imagine them all laughing at me. You coward! Coward! The Dark Lord's fingers pushed against his throat one more time, then withdrew.

'My child,' he whispered as his fingers moved to caress Snape's face, 'my wounded one, my lost one.' His breath tickled Severus's face as he bent over him. 'Do you think I would kill you? Do you think me that cruel? That heartless? Don't you know me, my child?' All the hair on Severus's body stood up.

And almost lazily, enjoying his servant's confusion, Voldemort bloodless lips came to Severus's face and kissed his forehead.

§§

shudders Err, a kiss by Voldemort! I hope there aren't too many mistakes (I'm always concerned about making mistakes, sorry). I wrote this several days ago and now I try to look for possible errors, but I can hardly see the PC screen at the moment (being slightly ill). BIG THANKS to all my reviewers. Anyway, someone anonymous, if you see any mistakes, you have to tell me about what exactly it is as I may not be aware of them. I'm still learning . . .