Snape quickly found his way to Hogsmeade and apparated to Voldemort. The Dark Lord did not like to be kept waiting, and Snape had wasted enough time already. He was surprised to see he was the only on who had responded Voldemort's call. He got the distinct feeling something was not right about the situation.
"Severus, how good to see you," A voice behind him said sarcastically. Snape immediately fell to his knees and bowed. "Do get up. There's no need for this silly groveling," the voice hissed. Snape shivered slightly as he got up. Was the Dark Lord playing with him? "Now, Severus, I do believe we have some," he paused slightly, "business to deal with, do we not?"
"Yes, my Lord," Snape replied, confused as to what all this could mean.
"Then tell me about the Granger girl."
Snape inwardly panicked for a second, but quickly calmed is fears lest Voldemort found out what he was thinking. "She is subdued. There will be no trouble from her. I have seen to it myself."
"Good, and Potter?" the voice asked cruelly.
"He is harmless. You shall have no trouble with him, my Lord. He is weak."
"Is he now? If I find out you are lying, Severus, or that you are a traitor, you'll be begging me to kill you."
Snape knew what was coming next. However much he tried to prepare for it, it still surprised him. His body was racked with overwhelming pain from the Cruciatus Curse. Coupled with his already vulnerable emotions, Snape was sure he would not last long.
"This is just a small reminder of what will happen if you betray me, Severus." As Voldemort said this, Lucius Malfoy came out of the shadows. Snape was still disabled as the aftershocks rolled through his body. Malfoy proceeded to kick and pound Snape while Voldemort looked on, laughing. If Malfoy did not end his beating soon, Snape knew he would be left for dead. He had given up trying to protect himself as the effort proved futile from the beginning. There was no point any longer. His only regret was that he had been so adamant with Hermione. He hated himself for making her hate him. 'A fitting end for a traitor,' he thought . . . especially one who was a traitor to his own heart, as well.
"That will be quite enough, Lucius," Voldemort hissed. "Severus is still needed around here, traitor that he is. Oh, yes. I know of your insurrection, Severus. I know all to well, but today I'm feeling . . . kind."
Finally Snape understood why he had thought he had been the only one to answer the Dark Lord's call. He had actually been the last, meant to set an example for the rest lest they step out of line. Voldemort was also calling attention to his unfaithfulness. All the Death Eaters would be after him now. Malfoy gave Snape another swift kick in the ribs before disapparating.
"Do not squander this chance, Severus. I'll come for both of you next time, and I promise that I won't be as nice." He laughed evilly before disapparating himself, leaving Snape alone.
He tried getting up. But his head swam too much. A minor concussion most likely, a few broken bones, and Merlin knows what else. Internal damage was a definite for the list as well. He was not dead yet, though. He would be if he did not get medical attention soon, but he had enough in him to apparate back to Hogsmeade, barely. Snape suddenly realized he had forgotten to alert Dumbledore in his haste to come to the Dark Lord. He did not hold much hope someone would be in Hogsmeade to collect him, but he managed to get himself there before losing consciousness.
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McGonagall quickly found Dumbledore after talking to the students.
"Minerva, someone must be there when he comes back. I want you and Poppy to go to Hogsmeade and await his arrival. Severus will be in no condition to do anything. We do not know if he will even be alive." The ever-present twinkle had disappeared from the Headmaster's eyes.
"Albus, you don't mean that he's . . ." she couldn't finish.
"There has been suspicion lately, and I believe tonight might be the night. Now please, go. We cannot afford to waste time."
"And what will you be doing?'
"I have business around here to attend. I believe four of our students need to be watched. Quickly now."
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Hermione met Harry and Ron in the common room, and the three of them met Draco as they left through the Fat Lady. They walked down to the Great Hall together. Most of the students who had stayed for the holidays were there working on their homework. The four of them were there for an entirely different reason.
"No sign of McGonagall or Dumbledore," said Hermione.
"Good. Come on," said Harry, pulling out the invisibility cloak. How all four of them fit under it and left the castle without being seen, only Dumbledore knew. He had been watching them and gave them an unseen hand. Outside the castle, they split up. Hermione and Harry kept the cloak. Ron and Draco would use the excuse that they needed help from Hagrid for their Care of Magical Creatures homework if they were caught en route to the half-giant's hut.
Dumbledore, who had been following them unseen, had to make a decision: follow Draco and Ron, or keep an eye on Harry and Hermione. He chose the latter pair. If anything happened, the other two would be with Hagrid. Harry and Hermione were unguarded. Tonight was not the night to let them go unwatched. Something was not sitting right in the air at Hogwarts, and that greatly unnerved the Headmaster. He felt a bit unguarded himself, almost defenseless. Usually, he was right. Usually.
He silently followed the pair to the lake. He wondered what they would do once there. It seemed like an odd spot to wait. Then Dumbledore realized they had other plans. They were going to Hogsmeade. However, they did not make it far before Harry stopped Hermione.
"Harry, what's wrong? Why are we stopping?" she asked in a hushed voice.
"My scar. It's . . ." he never finished though. Harry doubled over in pain.
Dumbledore had been following them by sound, and he was surprised when he heard their voices. He was not aware they had stopped moving and, thusly, he bumped into Hermione, which sent her into a blind panic for a moment.
"Miss Granger, calm down. It is only I." At the sound of his voice she calmed and pulled the cloak off herself and Harry. He was still on the ground. "Oh, dear. We must get you both back to the school immediately. There is no time to waste. I fear the grounds are no longer as safe as we believe them to be. Come along. Quickly," he said, trying to rush the pair. Dumbledore and Hermione helped Harry to his feet, and he stumbled along with them toward the school.
End Part 8