In Every Darkness
Chapter Forty Four: Severed
3.9.1996
Professor Severus Snape stood in the centre of an escort of Death Eater guards, staring up the Riddle Manner. Was this, then, Voldemort's hide out? He wondered.
"Come on then Snape," one of the Death Eaters, Snape didn't recognise the voice, but that was over little accord. The Dark Lord had been recruiting. "Get inside."
Severus did as he was asked. He'd known that the Dark Lord was not certain of his loyalty, but he hadn't expected to be taken before him in such a manner.
Inside the manner house, he didn't see any signs of life at all, and wondered what was going on. If he'd been in Voldemorts stronghold, there would have been Death Eaters and Dementors everywhere.
"This way," a Death Eater growled at him, and the group hustled him up the stairs.
Severus let them – it would be worse for him if he so much as went against their wishes. They could accuse him of fighting, and that would mean his death by Voldemorts hands.
They went up the stairs and into a room that Severus had seen only in the Potter boy's memories. This was where Voldemort had stayed two years ago, before regaining his power.
"Use the Floo network," a Death Eater told him, pointing to the fire place with his wand. A fire immediately sprang into life. "One of us will go ahead of you, the rest will follow after."
Another of the Death Eaters walked over to the fire, threw some Floo powder on it, then stepped into the green flames. "Lord Voldemorts Stronghold!" he cried. As a Death Eater, he had permission to use the Dark Lords name. No one else was supposed to be allowed to.
"You next," the Death Eater who'd lit the fire growled at Severus, pushing him forwards. Severus repeated the first mans movements, and felt himself spinning through the network of fireplace. He hated travelling by Floo.
Suddenly he stopped a grate and stumbled out of the fire. He looked around himself – all he saw was an expanse of black stone, and a lone Death Eater waiting for him.
His fingers itched with the desire to draw his wand and kill or capture the Death Eater now, but, as always, he shoved this urge aside - he couldn't afford to lose his position here, which is what would happen should he do as he wanted to.
The rest of the Death Eaters came through the fire, one by one, grouping around Severus once more. When all had come through the fire, they led him from the room.
He walked in the centre of the group, feigning docility, and wishing death upon his guards. He slipped his hands into the pockets of his robes, and his fingers brushed against something.
What is this? He wondered to himself, his fingers delicately exploring the object, until he remembered. The dream catcher thing that Lupin's mind was trapped in.
I'm here, Severus, Lupins voice. Snape looked up, searching his guards/escorts faces, but none of them showed signs of hearing anything.
They cannot hear me, Lupin stated quietly. I am speaking directly to your mind. If you think to me, I will hear it. I'll be with you as long as you're here.
What are you doing here? I didn't put the dream catcher in my pocket, I know it! Snape thought angrily.
I moved it there myself. I'm not sure how I did it … I think that because it is my 'body' as such, I can command it, to an extent. I thought you might need the company, Lupin replied.
Snape wanted to snarl with fury. Behind his mask, his mouth twisted into a frown of annoyance. You shouldn't have, he informed Lupin. I can take care of myself, and what if Dumbledore needs you?
He will just have to do without, won't he? Lupin responded dryly.
Snape was about to think a reply, but at that moment he and his 'companions' stopped in front of a stone doorway, leading off the passage they were in.
He was surprised by this, because they had been moving for some time, and there had so far been absolutely no decoration whatsoever, doors or otherwise. He hadn't seen this one till the stopped in front of it.
"This is our Lords room," a Death Eater informed Snape coldly. "He will speak with you there, alone. Go in now."
With that, all of them turned and walked away, leaving Snape on his own before the door. It had snakes engraved on its black, shiny surface, he noted.
Well, when are you going to move? Lupins voice.
Have you got any idea what could happen to me in there? Severus demanded. I could DIE, Lupin.
I know. But if you are going to die, you might as well get it over and done with. He'll only be mad if you wait out here, Remus pointed out.
Why do you have to be right? Severus demanded. Remus didn't answer that, and Severus, stealing himself, pushed the door open and walked inside.
"Ah Severus," a voice whispered out of the gloom. The tone was almost caressing, but the voice … the voice sent shivers up Severus's spine. He was glad that the bulky Death Eater robes and mask hid his body – that way the dark lord did not see his disgusted reaction.
"My lord," Severus knelt where he stood. He did not know where Voldemort was, and would therefore remain here – it was safest.
"Rise, and proceed," Voldemort ordered him. A good sign. If the dark lord was going to kill him, he would have done so while Severus was kneeling.
Severus stood up, and walked into the room. A misty substance filled the room, chilling his flesh even through the robes. As he walked forwards, the mist fell away before him.
He did not look back, but he knew that it would close again behind him. He kept walking for what seemed like hours. Finally, he stumbled free of this mist, dropping to his knees again, bowing his head to the floor before a huge black stone chair.
Enthroned upon it was Voldemort, Nagini curled around the bottom of the chair, and hissed softly when Severus appeared. Severus remained completely still – he would not move until his 'lord' ordered him to.
"You may rise, Severus," Voldemort stated. Severus did so, but slowly, keeping his head down in a slightly bowed appearance until he was standing up properly.
Over time, he'd learnt what the Dark Lord wanted from his servants, knew that to look the man in the eyes without permission was asking for pain.
"Welcome, my servant," the dark lord whispered, standing up. "You have been avoiding me."
"Never, my lord!" Severus cried, in what he hoped was a convincingly protestant tone of voice, bowing his head again. "I did not want to make the Muggle-lover suspicious. Had I begun disappearing, he would have suspected that I had returned to you, and that my act to convince him of my loyalty a fake."
"Well answered, Severus, as always. But are you really loyal to me?" Voldemort demanded.
"My lord, I live to serve. Whatever you would have me do, you have only to ask," Severus replied immediately.
"You will remain here," Voldemort informed him. "Under my eyes. You may return to your former post once I am completely assured of your loyalty. You will accompany your companions, my other Death Eaters, on raid and attacks."
Severus bowed. "I live to serve," he repeated. "I will send the Muggle loving fool an owl, telling him I've gone on leave to recover from an injury sustained during the fighting … If you find this agreeable, my Lord."
"That silver tongue will someday be your death," Voldemort said, sounding the closest thing he ever got to amused. "You will present your letter to me before you send it. Go now, Wormtail waits outside, he will show you to your quarters, and answer some of the questions you may have."
Severus bowed again, deeply. He'd escaped without so much as a Crucio. That was good. Now he just had to keep to his 'lords' good side.
As the dark lord had said, Wormtail was waiting for him outside. For a moment, Severus wondered what would happen if he took the man now, and gave him to the ministry. Maybe that would stop his nightmarish dreams…
Severus shook himself free of that thought – it was dangerous. He could not be tempted to do what he believed was right. Not if he wanted Dumbledore to be able to get at least some warning of attacks.
"Where is this place?" Severus asked Wormtail as they walked along a bleak stone corridor.
"No idea," the man replied, shaking slightly as if at some remembered pain. "The Lord doesn't like people asking too closely about that."
"Why did we have to come via the Riddle house?" Snape asked, knowing that he would get no more from that path.
"Because that fireplace is the only one that is linked to the fire here. No one can get to this place from any other fire," the man responded, voice wavering slightly, though Severus was not sure why. Maybe it was just his nature.
"What would happen if someone came through the fire place when they weren't expected? The ministry for example? A traitor among us could lead them here easily."
"There are guards set to watch the chamber at all times. The man that came ahead of you assured them that those who were about to come through were not enemies," Peter replied.
"Is this place underground?" Severus left that subject. He didn't want to be seen prying to carefully into such subjects. The dark lord had eyes everywhere.
"Yes," Peter seemed to deem this 'safe ground' for a conversation, and told Severus all about how the entire fortress was dug deep into rock. It was impossible to see the surface from anywhere but Lord Voldemort's chapter, which had a magical mirror, showing the lands around the area.
Severus was relieved when he reached his new chambers. Peter was hardly an avid conversationalist. "I have to leave you here," the Animagus replied, and did.
Severus touched a hand to his door, which swung open. The chamber was small, with only a bed, a chest, a writing desk and chair with a small bookshelf over it.
From the past, Severus knew that the book shelf and desk were for working on things that the Dark Lord ordered to be found out and reported on.
Severus settled himself on the bed. He would rest now, and be ready when the dark lord called him again. It was likely that Voldemort would have work for Snape, making potions.
He was woken by the Dark Mark burning on his arm, and was glad that he'd slept in his robes, a swift charm made him 'presentable' and he headed to the door.
Severus walked through the passageways. Peter Pettigrew might not have thought that Severus had paid attention to their route, but the Potions Master had fixed it in his mind, as he knew he was likely to be summoned.
I think you turn left here, Lupins voice came suddenly as Severus was about to turn to the right.
Severus quickly checked his mental map, realised with a silent curse that Remus was right, and adjusted his course.
Soon enough he was standing before the door to Voldemorts quarters. There were two Death Eaters standing on guard here now, and one of them opened the door to admit him, while the other watched him carefully, making sure that Severus was indeed a Death Eater.
Severus walked past both, acknowledging neither. He had more important things on his mind, those being mainly: avoid being killed and or tortured.
This time there was no mist in the chamber, he could see Voldemort from where he stood, just inside the door, and immediately dropped to his knees, head bowed.
"Rise," Voldemort commanded lazily. Severus did so immediately. "Severus, my loyal friend, I have a job for you."
***
Hehehe! I'm gonna leave it there!
~WolfMoon~