Chapter 16
A/N: Figured I might as well update again while I have some free time...that seems in short supply lately! I'm going to change the rating to an R, just to be safe. Nothing too vulgar though, I tried to be tasteful...Please Review!
------
Katherine silently hummed to herself as she flipped through a book on the history of the four founders of Hogwarts. Having never gone to the school herself, she was just beginning to discover the hidden charm of the noble old castle. She had expected the book to be dry and boring at best, but it was surprising interesting. Every so often her eyes would drift from the page and onto Severus, who also was also absorbed in a book. It was rare that they could sit in the same room without a rude comment or a strange strained feeling in the air. The nice warmth of the fire, and the feeling of two creatures totally content sharing the same space made her face lite up in a rare sort of smile. Then the peace of shattered in a most unwelcome of ways.
Severus felt the sickeningly familiar burning sensation on his forearm seconds before Katherine did. He dropped the book he had been reading and clasped onto his arm with a hiss of pain. From across the room Katherine looked up in confusion, and then a look of pain swept across her own face and she clutched at her arm.
"Let's go." Severus said, rising from his chair almost too quickly.
Katherine nodded, and they both walked into the bedroom, pulling their matching black robes from the hidden compartment in the bottom of Severus's armoire. Severus then produced his mask from the same compartment, and walked through the sitting room with a great huff of breath. He was nearly out of the hidden side door at the end of the dungeons before he realized that Katherine was not behind him. He paused, tapping his foot impatiently on the hard stone floor. After moments passed he finally lost his patience and turned on his heels, storming back into his room with ferocity of a lion.
"What are doing!" He cried, walking through the empty rooms, his heart pounding in his chest. "Are you trying to get us killed? Our Lord has no patience for tardiness, he has no patience for..."
He stopped at the sound of muffled sobs, coming from the wash room. He sighed with a dramatic flair, and threw the partly closed door open the rest of the way. It slammed against the wall, and Katherine jumped. She was sitting on the edge of the bathtub, right next to their simmering potion awaiting its next round of ingredients.
"What is wrong with you?" Severus said, not sure whether to be angry or concerned.
"I-I can't find my mask." Katherine tried desperately to wipe the tears from her face, mortally embarrassed to be caught crying.
"What to you mean you-can't-find-it?" Severus was barely able to control his temper.
"I transfigured it after the last meeting, and now I can't remember...what I transfigured it into...."
Severus raked his hands through his hair. He had to leave, he wasn't going to risk his well being for this foolish woman. But what if he showed up without her? Would the punishment be worse?
"Well figure it out!" He roared, feeling sick to his stomach.
Katherine jumped to her feet, and rushed out of the room. Severus watched with sickening anxiety as she picked up and then dropped various objects, tears again openly streaming down her face. Her lower lip was quivering, and her cheeks were aflame, her tears leaving wet streaks down her face. For some reason Severus found this vaguely erotic, but perhaps it was the frantic racing of his own heart. The fear of not knowing if tonight would be the night that he would be found out. Maybe this moment was all he had, tomorrow he could be gone, only a memory to be held within these cold dungeon walls. Katherine walked frantically past, having dissolved into full blown sobs. He grabbed onto her, shocked because he could not remembering willing his arm to move. She looked up at him, tears hanging like jewels from her thick eyelashes. She parted her lips to speak, and Severus could barely fight the urge to press those soft pink lips against his own. To revel in the feeling of his tongue exploring the warmth of her mouth, biting down on her lower lip, tasting the tears as they slid down her pink cheeks...
"W-we're dead." Katherine whispered, her sobs dying down once again. "I'm s-sorry I-I was so stupid."
Severus let her go, his body and soul suddenly aching for her. He took off his own mask, and handed to her. He then picked up the nearest object, a small hand mirror of Katherine's, and transfigured it into a mask for himself. It took several tries, he had never had much talent for transfigurations, but it worked. Katherine slipped the mask into her robe, and before Severus could react she pulled him into a grateful embrace, burying her face into his chest.
Severus leaned his face into the top of her head, inhaling the sweet smell of her hair for precious seconds before gently pushing her away.
"Let's not make our Lord wait any longer." He whispered.
Severus noticed that she was no longer crying, but her face was still red. He wondered if his own face was flushed, but he doubted it. He could control most of his emotions very well.
They walked out in silence under the eerie brightness of the moon's glow. Every so often they would move close enough that their hands would bump together, and Severus was always the first one to pull back. As they walked around the lake to the apparition point he kept chastising himself. Katherine might as well have 'property of Lucius Malfoy' stamped on her forehead. She was not his for the taking. And to be honest, he was no Lucius Malfoy. He didn't have his wealth, his good looks, his charm...who would ever want him when they could have Lucius instead. A deep self hating part of Severus suspected that it was better to be Malfoy's lover then to be his...anything.
"What are you thinking?" Katherine asked as they reaching the end of the lake, and the gate that marked the entrance to Hogwarts.
Severus visibly recoiled at the question, what was he to say? I was thinking about how I'll never have you?
"We have better get our stories straight." He whispered instead.
Katherine nodded curtly, not sure if this was exactly the truth.
"We were both speaking with Professor Dumbledore and could not leave without arising suspicion." Severus put his hand on her arm, to make sure that she was listening. But at the same time he could not deny the tingles that ran through his body as soon as he touched her.
"I understand." Katherine said, as they walked through the gate. "I'll go first."
She walked a little further up the path, and then apperated with a loud pop. Severus followed seconds later, vanishing from the thin air that still suggested so much of her presence.
-------
Katherine was stunned when she found herself apperating into vast windowless chamber, face to face with Bellatrix Lestrange.
"Look who we have here." Bellatrix purred in a frightening tone. "The little whore herself. How kind to grace us with your presence."
Katherine heard the pop behind her, thankful that at least she might have an ally in Severus. Bellatrix had always hated her, even before she knew that Katherine was sleeping with her sister's husband. Bellatrix also had a fondness for causing pain, and if the Dark Lord gave her free reign the results would be most unnerving.
"Leave her Bella." A smooth cultured voice demanded. "It is not your place."
Bellatrix pouted, but then backed off slowly, her eyes alight with longing. She had an evil streak that was difficult to rival.
"And put your mask on for Merlin's sake. We know enough of your undying loyalty."
Katherine looked up at the cloaked figure who stepped forward from the group of Death Eaters. Lucius had protected her once again, but she felt no gratitude.
"Severus, Katherine, our Lord has been waiting for you. He is not pleased."
Katherine heard the echo of Severus's feet as he walked forward, until he stood right beside her.
"We were detained by Dumbledore, and as not to arise..."
"He doesn't want excuses!" Lucius cried, his voice had a biting edge to it. "He had business that could not wait, but will return shortly. In the meantime...."
Lucius must have paused to smile, because Severus could hear it in his voice.
"Katherine, you come with me. Bellatrix will see to you, Severus."
Severus felt his knees go weak. Bellatrix had always resented him for his betrayal. She held a deep hatred for those who escaped a fate in Azkaban, especially those who she saw as less than loyal.
"Do you want sa how?" Bellatrix said to the anxious group of Death Eaters. "This should be a special treat."
Lucius grabbed onto Katherine's arms, and pulled her towards a staircase hidden in the shadows of the cavernous room. Her stomach was clenched up in a mix of fear and hatred. He had no right...
Her thoughts were interrupted by a sharp cry of pain, followed by a round of insane laughter. Katherine tried to turn her head, though she doubted she really wanted to see. Lucius grabbed onto her before she had a chance, and yanked her into the darkness of the stairwell. It was damp, and the smell of rot filled Katherine's nostrils. She fought back a gag, and tried to escape Lucius's grasp.
"Stop it." He hissed. "Why resist me? You know you are mine."
'Not anymore!' Her mind screamed, but she could not bring herself to fight. She suddenly felt so old and tired, and sick of running. It seemed that she had always been running, first after Lucius, and then away from him.
"You have been crying." He whispered as he pulled her mask away and dropped it onto the floor. "You are even prettier when you cry."
He pulled her close, and kissed her passionately on the lips. Katherine did not resist him, but the kiss felt numb and cold. It was only when he kissed her a second time that some of the old feeling returned...the feelings of lust, of want, of longing.
Katherine could still hear Severus's cries echoing in from the large room above them. She could still hear Bellatrix's stream of curses, hexes, taunts, and insults. She tried to block them out, but she failed. If she concentrated on Lucius her heart ached, and if she thought about poor Severus it ached even more.
Lucius swept her up in his passion, to a time and place when she was young and foolish. When she was ready to die for his attention, when a single moment with him seemed more precious than a thousand lifetimes. But she had grown beyond that now, and she had seen the real Lucius behind the charming facade. He could be cold and calculating, he would do anything to keep up appearances. He would even kill his own blood.
Katherine tried to push his hands away as he lifted up her robes, but she couldn't resist him. Her heart was so confused, it was filled with new feelings of love. But she could not love him! That was over, all she held in her heart for him was hate. He had taken her sister, her dignity, her one chance at happiness.
"Please Katherine." He whispered into her hair, his breathing warming her ear. Tingles raced down her spine.
She nodded, though her mind was screaming no. Her heart suddenly felt so soft, though it was still cold for him. She was so damn confused.
They moved to floor, which was damp and grimy. Katherine shuddered as the dampness soaked through her robes in seconds. It was cold, but she felt so heated...
"Say you are mine." Lucius whispered, but did not seem concerned with her lack of response.
Katherine shut her eyes as they made love, concentrating only one the feeling of their two bodies interconnected in their lust. Soon her own small cries of passion began to mix with those of pain that echoed down the stairs. It was then that she realized her fatal mistake. It was not Lucius whom she loved. No, she had not loved him for a long time. This was the budding of a new love, still fresh and unsure, but growing like a timid flower in the uncertain sunlight. She began to cry on her moment of release, because she knew he would see this as a betrayal. She had shut the door between their two lives before she had even realized it was open.
'I'm so sorry Severus.' She though as Lucius collapsed upon her. 'I have been a fool,'
--------
Severus fought back a scream, but it flew from his hoarse bleeding throat like so many before. The air was thick with the sound of his screams and the smell of his own blood. He was shocked at his own weakness, but not many could stand up to Bellatrix. This time he would not deny her the sounds of his agony, but it took all the strength within him not to beg her for mercy. His teeth sunk into his raw and bloody bottom lip again, and he tilted his head back as the hot pain surged through his body. Very much more of this and his heart would give out. Or worse, he would end up like the Longbottoms. He prayed to loss consciousness, but Bellatrix kept charming him to stay awake. Damn her...she was pure sadist.
Severus was sure most of his ribs were broken, and most likely an arm as well. His body was riddled with lash marks, cuts, and bruises. Enough to likely make the hardest of hearts cringe. His whole body was screaming in pain, and there seemed to be no end in sight.
Then with a loud crack Voldemort himself and well as two other Death Eaters apperated into the room, sending shadows across the floor where Severus lay curled up, shivering as brutal waves of pain overtook him.
"Bellatrix." His voice was dark, but it sounded pleased all the same. "You have done more than enough tonight. Leave him."
Bellatrix nodded, and stepped back. Severus cringed as Voldemort stepped over his fallen form, ignoring him completely. His snake like eyes crossed the room, and he suddenly hissed in displeasure.
"Where is Malfoy?"
A loud round of murmuring began, but no clear answer seemed to surface. The Dark Lord slammed his fist down onto the dark wooden throne that had suddenly appeared at his side.
"When I ask a question, I want answers!" He sat down in the chair, his body rigid with anger.
Wormtail finally stepped forward, but before he could speak Malfoy himself entered the room, his rumpled clothing hidden safely behind his cloak and mask.
"I just wanted to see what was downstairs my Lord, for our safety." He inwardly smirked at Wormtail, who looked as if he was unsure of what to do.
Voldemort was about to wave his hand excusing him, when Katherine emerged from the shadows behind Lucius. The Dark Lord perked up in interest, and then let out a laugh that made Katherine's blood run cold.
"You." He pointed at Katherine. "Come here."
Katherine felt her body freeze, but with a less than gentle shove from Lucius she was able to able to move again. She came and bent down at his feet, averting her eyes to the floor.
"What do you think you are doing disappearing with Mr. Malfoy?" He hissed. "You are here to see me! To carry out my wishes. To do my bidding. Do you understand me!"
Katherine nodded, frightened tears stinging in her eyes.
"I don't think you do...Crucio."
Katherine made no sound as the hellish force of his spell hit her. She fell backwards to the ground with a thud, but thankfully the spell was removed quickly.
"You are weak. Lucius tells me you are fragile." He whispered. "I wouldn't want to break you just yet."
Katherine rose back to her knees, her whole body shaking. She had only experienced the curse once when she had been initiated, and Lucius had given her a numbing potion beforehand.
"How is my little project coming along?" He asked, just as she had regained her composure.
"T-The potion will be done in five w-weeks time..." Katherine cringed at her own stutters. She had to be strong. "And I have made steps to win the girls trust. Soon she will be putty in our hands."
"You are lucky I am in a generous mood tonight." Voldemort said. "Now take him and get out of my sight before I change my mind. I will be expecting another report from you soon, and if you fail me the consequences will be most severe."
Katherine nodded, and nearly jumped to her feet. She saw Lucius begin to move towards her, but she had no time for him now. Voldemort had already moved on to someone else, berating them for something. She gasped as she pushed through the circle of Death Eaters to find Severus laying bloody and broken on the ground. He was hovering on the brink of consciousness, his eyes half open. He reached out for her, but his hand fell limply to the ground.
"Severus." She whispered, falling to her knees beside him. "I'm so sorry..."
He opened his mouth, but he could make no sound. He reached up and brushed his fingertips across her face, leaving a trial of wet blood across her mask.
"We'll get you to the hospital wing right away. You'll be just fine." She whispered.
Severus shut his eyes, grateful for the sound of her voice, and the feeling of her hands clasped around his own. For her sake, he tried not to cry out in pain and she forced his broken body up against her own so they could apperate out together. He rested his head on her shoulder, tears of pain springing up behind closed eyes. In the few moments it took her to prepare herself, he felt the world around him begin to fade away. He must have lost consciousness just as they apperated, because he was aware of the loud crack of her strained apperation, but then their was only sweet blissful darkness.
A/N: Figured I might as well update again while I have some free time...that seems in short supply lately! I'm going to change the rating to an R, just to be safe. Nothing too vulgar though, I tried to be tasteful...Please Review!
------
Katherine silently hummed to herself as she flipped through a book on the history of the four founders of Hogwarts. Having never gone to the school herself, she was just beginning to discover the hidden charm of the noble old castle. She had expected the book to be dry and boring at best, but it was surprising interesting. Every so often her eyes would drift from the page and onto Severus, who also was also absorbed in a book. It was rare that they could sit in the same room without a rude comment or a strange strained feeling in the air. The nice warmth of the fire, and the feeling of two creatures totally content sharing the same space made her face lite up in a rare sort of smile. Then the peace of shattered in a most unwelcome of ways.
Severus felt the sickeningly familiar burning sensation on his forearm seconds before Katherine did. He dropped the book he had been reading and clasped onto his arm with a hiss of pain. From across the room Katherine looked up in confusion, and then a look of pain swept across her own face and she clutched at her arm.
"Let's go." Severus said, rising from his chair almost too quickly.
Katherine nodded, and they both walked into the bedroom, pulling their matching black robes from the hidden compartment in the bottom of Severus's armoire. Severus then produced his mask from the same compartment, and walked through the sitting room with a great huff of breath. He was nearly out of the hidden side door at the end of the dungeons before he realized that Katherine was not behind him. He paused, tapping his foot impatiently on the hard stone floor. After moments passed he finally lost his patience and turned on his heels, storming back into his room with ferocity of a lion.
"What are doing!" He cried, walking through the empty rooms, his heart pounding in his chest. "Are you trying to get us killed? Our Lord has no patience for tardiness, he has no patience for..."
He stopped at the sound of muffled sobs, coming from the wash room. He sighed with a dramatic flair, and threw the partly closed door open the rest of the way. It slammed against the wall, and Katherine jumped. She was sitting on the edge of the bathtub, right next to their simmering potion awaiting its next round of ingredients.
"What is wrong with you?" Severus said, not sure whether to be angry or concerned.
"I-I can't find my mask." Katherine tried desperately to wipe the tears from her face, mortally embarrassed to be caught crying.
"What to you mean you-can't-find-it?" Severus was barely able to control his temper.
"I transfigured it after the last meeting, and now I can't remember...what I transfigured it into...."
Severus raked his hands through his hair. He had to leave, he wasn't going to risk his well being for this foolish woman. But what if he showed up without her? Would the punishment be worse?
"Well figure it out!" He roared, feeling sick to his stomach.
Katherine jumped to her feet, and rushed out of the room. Severus watched with sickening anxiety as she picked up and then dropped various objects, tears again openly streaming down her face. Her lower lip was quivering, and her cheeks were aflame, her tears leaving wet streaks down her face. For some reason Severus found this vaguely erotic, but perhaps it was the frantic racing of his own heart. The fear of not knowing if tonight would be the night that he would be found out. Maybe this moment was all he had, tomorrow he could be gone, only a memory to be held within these cold dungeon walls. Katherine walked frantically past, having dissolved into full blown sobs. He grabbed onto her, shocked because he could not remembering willing his arm to move. She looked up at him, tears hanging like jewels from her thick eyelashes. She parted her lips to speak, and Severus could barely fight the urge to press those soft pink lips against his own. To revel in the feeling of his tongue exploring the warmth of her mouth, biting down on her lower lip, tasting the tears as they slid down her pink cheeks...
"W-we're dead." Katherine whispered, her sobs dying down once again. "I'm s-sorry I-I was so stupid."
Severus let her go, his body and soul suddenly aching for her. He took off his own mask, and handed to her. He then picked up the nearest object, a small hand mirror of Katherine's, and transfigured it into a mask for himself. It took several tries, he had never had much talent for transfigurations, but it worked. Katherine slipped the mask into her robe, and before Severus could react she pulled him into a grateful embrace, burying her face into his chest.
Severus leaned his face into the top of her head, inhaling the sweet smell of her hair for precious seconds before gently pushing her away.
"Let's not make our Lord wait any longer." He whispered.
Severus noticed that she was no longer crying, but her face was still red. He wondered if his own face was flushed, but he doubted it. He could control most of his emotions very well.
They walked out in silence under the eerie brightness of the moon's glow. Every so often they would move close enough that their hands would bump together, and Severus was always the first one to pull back. As they walked around the lake to the apparition point he kept chastising himself. Katherine might as well have 'property of Lucius Malfoy' stamped on her forehead. She was not his for the taking. And to be honest, he was no Lucius Malfoy. He didn't have his wealth, his good looks, his charm...who would ever want him when they could have Lucius instead. A deep self hating part of Severus suspected that it was better to be Malfoy's lover then to be his...anything.
"What are you thinking?" Katherine asked as they reaching the end of the lake, and the gate that marked the entrance to Hogwarts.
Severus visibly recoiled at the question, what was he to say? I was thinking about how I'll never have you?
"We have better get our stories straight." He whispered instead.
Katherine nodded curtly, not sure if this was exactly the truth.
"We were both speaking with Professor Dumbledore and could not leave without arising suspicion." Severus put his hand on her arm, to make sure that she was listening. But at the same time he could not deny the tingles that ran through his body as soon as he touched her.
"I understand." Katherine said, as they walked through the gate. "I'll go first."
She walked a little further up the path, and then apperated with a loud pop. Severus followed seconds later, vanishing from the thin air that still suggested so much of her presence.
-------
Katherine was stunned when she found herself apperating into vast windowless chamber, face to face with Bellatrix Lestrange.
"Look who we have here." Bellatrix purred in a frightening tone. "The little whore herself. How kind to grace us with your presence."
Katherine heard the pop behind her, thankful that at least she might have an ally in Severus. Bellatrix had always hated her, even before she knew that Katherine was sleeping with her sister's husband. Bellatrix also had a fondness for causing pain, and if the Dark Lord gave her free reign the results would be most unnerving.
"Leave her Bella." A smooth cultured voice demanded. "It is not your place."
Bellatrix pouted, but then backed off slowly, her eyes alight with longing. She had an evil streak that was difficult to rival.
"And put your mask on for Merlin's sake. We know enough of your undying loyalty."
Katherine looked up at the cloaked figure who stepped forward from the group of Death Eaters. Lucius had protected her once again, but she felt no gratitude.
"Severus, Katherine, our Lord has been waiting for you. He is not pleased."
Katherine heard the echo of Severus's feet as he walked forward, until he stood right beside her.
"We were detained by Dumbledore, and as not to arise..."
"He doesn't want excuses!" Lucius cried, his voice had a biting edge to it. "He had business that could not wait, but will return shortly. In the meantime...."
Lucius must have paused to smile, because Severus could hear it in his voice.
"Katherine, you come with me. Bellatrix will see to you, Severus."
Severus felt his knees go weak. Bellatrix had always resented him for his betrayal. She held a deep hatred for those who escaped a fate in Azkaban, especially those who she saw as less than loyal.
"Do you want sa how?" Bellatrix said to the anxious group of Death Eaters. "This should be a special treat."
Lucius grabbed onto Katherine's arms, and pulled her towards a staircase hidden in the shadows of the cavernous room. Her stomach was clenched up in a mix of fear and hatred. He had no right...
Her thoughts were interrupted by a sharp cry of pain, followed by a round of insane laughter. Katherine tried to turn her head, though she doubted she really wanted to see. Lucius grabbed onto her before she had a chance, and yanked her into the darkness of the stairwell. It was damp, and the smell of rot filled Katherine's nostrils. She fought back a gag, and tried to escape Lucius's grasp.
"Stop it." He hissed. "Why resist me? You know you are mine."
'Not anymore!' Her mind screamed, but she could not bring herself to fight. She suddenly felt so old and tired, and sick of running. It seemed that she had always been running, first after Lucius, and then away from him.
"You have been crying." He whispered as he pulled her mask away and dropped it onto the floor. "You are even prettier when you cry."
He pulled her close, and kissed her passionately on the lips. Katherine did not resist him, but the kiss felt numb and cold. It was only when he kissed her a second time that some of the old feeling returned...the feelings of lust, of want, of longing.
Katherine could still hear Severus's cries echoing in from the large room above them. She could still hear Bellatrix's stream of curses, hexes, taunts, and insults. She tried to block them out, but she failed. If she concentrated on Lucius her heart ached, and if she thought about poor Severus it ached even more.
Lucius swept her up in his passion, to a time and place when she was young and foolish. When she was ready to die for his attention, when a single moment with him seemed more precious than a thousand lifetimes. But she had grown beyond that now, and she had seen the real Lucius behind the charming facade. He could be cold and calculating, he would do anything to keep up appearances. He would even kill his own blood.
Katherine tried to push his hands away as he lifted up her robes, but she couldn't resist him. Her heart was so confused, it was filled with new feelings of love. But she could not love him! That was over, all she held in her heart for him was hate. He had taken her sister, her dignity, her one chance at happiness.
"Please Katherine." He whispered into her hair, his breathing warming her ear. Tingles raced down her spine.
She nodded, though her mind was screaming no. Her heart suddenly felt so soft, though it was still cold for him. She was so damn confused.
They moved to floor, which was damp and grimy. Katherine shuddered as the dampness soaked through her robes in seconds. It was cold, but she felt so heated...
"Say you are mine." Lucius whispered, but did not seem concerned with her lack of response.
Katherine shut her eyes as they made love, concentrating only one the feeling of their two bodies interconnected in their lust. Soon her own small cries of passion began to mix with those of pain that echoed down the stairs. It was then that she realized her fatal mistake. It was not Lucius whom she loved. No, she had not loved him for a long time. This was the budding of a new love, still fresh and unsure, but growing like a timid flower in the uncertain sunlight. She began to cry on her moment of release, because she knew he would see this as a betrayal. She had shut the door between their two lives before she had even realized it was open.
'I'm so sorry Severus.' She though as Lucius collapsed upon her. 'I have been a fool,'
--------
Severus fought back a scream, but it flew from his hoarse bleeding throat like so many before. The air was thick with the sound of his screams and the smell of his own blood. He was shocked at his own weakness, but not many could stand up to Bellatrix. This time he would not deny her the sounds of his agony, but it took all the strength within him not to beg her for mercy. His teeth sunk into his raw and bloody bottom lip again, and he tilted his head back as the hot pain surged through his body. Very much more of this and his heart would give out. Or worse, he would end up like the Longbottoms. He prayed to loss consciousness, but Bellatrix kept charming him to stay awake. Damn her...she was pure sadist.
Severus was sure most of his ribs were broken, and most likely an arm as well. His body was riddled with lash marks, cuts, and bruises. Enough to likely make the hardest of hearts cringe. His whole body was screaming in pain, and there seemed to be no end in sight.
Then with a loud crack Voldemort himself and well as two other Death Eaters apperated into the room, sending shadows across the floor where Severus lay curled up, shivering as brutal waves of pain overtook him.
"Bellatrix." His voice was dark, but it sounded pleased all the same. "You have done more than enough tonight. Leave him."
Bellatrix nodded, and stepped back. Severus cringed as Voldemort stepped over his fallen form, ignoring him completely. His snake like eyes crossed the room, and he suddenly hissed in displeasure.
"Where is Malfoy?"
A loud round of murmuring began, but no clear answer seemed to surface. The Dark Lord slammed his fist down onto the dark wooden throne that had suddenly appeared at his side.
"When I ask a question, I want answers!" He sat down in the chair, his body rigid with anger.
Wormtail finally stepped forward, but before he could speak Malfoy himself entered the room, his rumpled clothing hidden safely behind his cloak and mask.
"I just wanted to see what was downstairs my Lord, for our safety." He inwardly smirked at Wormtail, who looked as if he was unsure of what to do.
Voldemort was about to wave his hand excusing him, when Katherine emerged from the shadows behind Lucius. The Dark Lord perked up in interest, and then let out a laugh that made Katherine's blood run cold.
"You." He pointed at Katherine. "Come here."
Katherine felt her body freeze, but with a less than gentle shove from Lucius she was able to able to move again. She came and bent down at his feet, averting her eyes to the floor.
"What do you think you are doing disappearing with Mr. Malfoy?" He hissed. "You are here to see me! To carry out my wishes. To do my bidding. Do you understand me!"
Katherine nodded, frightened tears stinging in her eyes.
"I don't think you do...Crucio."
Katherine made no sound as the hellish force of his spell hit her. She fell backwards to the ground with a thud, but thankfully the spell was removed quickly.
"You are weak. Lucius tells me you are fragile." He whispered. "I wouldn't want to break you just yet."
Katherine rose back to her knees, her whole body shaking. She had only experienced the curse once when she had been initiated, and Lucius had given her a numbing potion beforehand.
"How is my little project coming along?" He asked, just as she had regained her composure.
"T-The potion will be done in five w-weeks time..." Katherine cringed at her own stutters. She had to be strong. "And I have made steps to win the girls trust. Soon she will be putty in our hands."
"You are lucky I am in a generous mood tonight." Voldemort said. "Now take him and get out of my sight before I change my mind. I will be expecting another report from you soon, and if you fail me the consequences will be most severe."
Katherine nodded, and nearly jumped to her feet. She saw Lucius begin to move towards her, but she had no time for him now. Voldemort had already moved on to someone else, berating them for something. She gasped as she pushed through the circle of Death Eaters to find Severus laying bloody and broken on the ground. He was hovering on the brink of consciousness, his eyes half open. He reached out for her, but his hand fell limply to the ground.
"Severus." She whispered, falling to her knees beside him. "I'm so sorry..."
He opened his mouth, but he could make no sound. He reached up and brushed his fingertips across her face, leaving a trial of wet blood across her mask.
"We'll get you to the hospital wing right away. You'll be just fine." She whispered.
Severus shut his eyes, grateful for the sound of her voice, and the feeling of her hands clasped around his own. For her sake, he tried not to cry out in pain and she forced his broken body up against her own so they could apperate out together. He rested his head on her shoulder, tears of pain springing up behind closed eyes. In the few moments it took her to prepare herself, he felt the world around him begin to fade away. He must have lost consciousness just as they apperated, because he was aware of the loud crack of her strained apperation, but then their was only sweet blissful darkness.