Chapter One

Disclaimer: Sadly, I own nothing!

A/N: (Fixed the spelling/ grammatical errors in this chapter. Stupid spell check and its lies!! The next chapter should be up tomorrow) This is one of the many plot ideas that have bouncing around in my head. I thought this one was actually pretty good, so we'll see. This story has some darker points, but also some light hearted parts as well. Please, please, please review! Let me know if you like it, hate it, whatever. I live for your feedback!!

The Dark Lord was angry. Severus Snape could feel his master's anger enveloping him like a storm cloud, and all he could do was sit back and wait for the downpour.
"Have you betrayed me Severus?" Voldemort drew out in end of his name, sending shivers up Snape's spine.
"No."
Severus wondered how he managed to keep his voice so calm when his heart was racing so quickly. It was one of his more innate talents he supposed. It was this ability that had saved him many times before. It was the wizards who fell into hysterics before the Dark Lord that didn't survive. Voldemort had no patience for theatrics, and he took it as an automatic admission of guilt. Severus had accused him of betrayal before, but he had always managed to calmly talk his way back into his masters good graces. His blood froze at the thought that his luck may have well run out.
"I don't think I believe you. Crucio."
Severus shut his eyes as every inch of his body screamed in agony. He was barely aware of anything besides the pain. Still, on the edge of his consciousness he was sure he heard snickering. Lucius probably was the source, that egotistical bastard.
"Are you lying to me Severus?" Voldemort asked upon ending his attack.
Severus struggled to get his voice to function. His body was still awash in shivers of pain.
"N-no. I-I would never lie to you master."
Voldemort narrowed his eyes at Severus, who was suddenly grateful that his vision was still blurred by pain. It was much less intimidating this way.
"I'm not sure if I believe you." The Dark Lord's voice was menacing, but he made no move to further harm the potions master.
"I will do whatever you ask of me, I live only to serve you and see your rise to power."
Apparently this had been the perfect thing to say, for Voldemort no longer seemed as angry as he had before.
"Perhaps I should give you a test." Voldemort slowly rubbed his hands together as if deep in thought. "Yes, I like the idea. A test of loyalty."
Severus could feel a lump forming in his throat. As of late, his master was becoming very creative with these supposed tests of loyalty. That fool Lucius had even promised his own son to the Dark Lord as a test of his loyalty.
'Some test that was.' Severus mused. Everyone knew that Lucius had intended for his son to join the dark forces anyway, and his master had yet to collect on his promise.
"What do you wish of me master?" Severus tried to look as subservient as possible. He was sure that he had succeeded, perhaps because he was as scared as hell.
"I need time to think." Voldemort sighed.
Severus could hear Lucius snickering again, and fought the urge to glare evilly at him. He was in no position to be making new enemies, especially with the Dark Lord's newly aroused suspicions.
"I will summon you when inspiration strikes."
Voldemort waved Severus away, who gratefully stepped back into the group of death eaters gathered around their master. If his head had not ached from his master's curse he might have been running through the thousands of horrible things that Voldemort could have in mind. Thankfully, at the moment it was easier to concentrate on his pounding head. Severus rubbed his aching temples, and much to his displeasure caught Lucius staring at him. He nearly had to bite his tongue to keep from yelling out some sort of insult at the man. Instead he sighed deeply, and looked away. For some reason, he had a strange feeling that life was about to get a little more complicated.