Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters, except the one I created myself. All others belong to J. K. Rowling and Warner Brothers. I have only borrowed them for my amusement and hopefully yours as well.

A/N: Goody, goody! 5 reviews in one day! My best yet! Thank you…thank you... thank you. To Jayne: Wow! That was a lot of reading to do in one sitting. I tried to do it myself and couldn't. I am impressed. Thanks. I know this is a very short chapter, but what the heck. I can't bring it all out at once, can I?

Chapter 46

"My Lord, I apologize for the interruption, but this is something that requires your immediate attention," said Malfoy, on his knees before Voldemort.

"What is it, Lucius?" growled the Dark Lord.

"I found out something most interesting about our friend Snape. It seems that he has taken himself a wife, Lord."

"You disturb me for this?"

"Please my Lord, there is more," cowered Malfoy. "His wife is with child; they are expecting two brats. The most interesting part of this tale is that his wife is also a Mudblood." He said the word and spat on the floor.

"Surely you are mistaken. Severus has always been one of my loyal followers."

"No my Lord, it is the truth. I verified it myself. What he has done goes contrary to all of our beliefs. I am disgusted. It makes me wonder if he is really as loyal as he would have us believe."

"This is indeed disturbing news that you bring me. I think that perhaps a test of faith is in order. Severus will live to regret it if he fails our little test, Lucius. He will regret it!" Voldemort seethed with rage, his red eyes narrowing into snakelike slits.

That evening, the Death Eaters were convened. They knelt before their Lord, listening closely to his every word. Voldemort laid before them an elaborate plan, one that would mean the death of Arthur Weasley. The murder was to take place right in front of the Ministry of Magic, just as Arthur left work for the day. The boldness of the attack was designed to strike fear into the very heart of the Wizarding community.

"Pity to spill the blood of a pure blood wizard, but this will be a message to all who still do not believe in my power. Where better for this to take place than the Ministry itself!" cackled Voldemort. "Smithson, Dougherty, Willoughby, and Kingsford – the task is yours."

"Yes Lord," they replied, eager to do his bidding.

"The rest of you may go."

The following evening, Lucius Malfoy hid himself across the street from the Ministry entrance. He knew very well that Arthur Weasley always left the building by the front door, between 5:05 and 5:15 pm – never later. Malfoy stood guard until 6:00 pm. There was no sign of Weasley. He entered the Ministry and inquired as to Arthur's whereabouts. He was informed that he was long gone. Malfoy's lip curled into an evil grin.

There of course had been no attack planned. It was a ruse, a ruse to see if Severus would pass the information along to Arthur.

Malfoy knelt before Voldemort once again. He took great pleasure in the task he was about to perform.

"My Lord, out little test is complete. I regret to inform you, Lord, that our friend did not pass. Weasley did not appear. He took an alternate route. Snape had obviously enlightened him. He is an informant, Lord."

"Unfortunate. Snape has served me well these many years, or so I thought."

"Shall I handle his removal, Lord? I promise it will exquisitely painful."

"No, Lucius. I have a plan – one that will hurt him far more than any curse you could possibly inflict on him. It will require patience, but I promise you, it will be worth it! I also promise you that you will be present when the time comes."

"Thank you, my Lord. You are most wise, as always," groveled Malfoy.