Chapter 5 A/N: Just a note to say there have been some changes to the first chapter of this story (note the spell Voldemort puts on Snape) which will make the below chapter more understandable. This chapter is dedicated to Rinkurocks (Katie) for being our first (and only!) reviewer. Thank you very much for your lovely review, hope you like the next chapter and you will keep reading!

lots of love Rubber Dukky & SpUnGe HeAd
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"So Snape, how are you finding life as a vampire? Rather interesting I would expect. But then again, I wouldn't know," Voldemort said, smiling cruelly down at Snape who was kneeling on the ground in front of him. Snape kept his eyes on the ground and didn't reply.

"Your first task is complete, how it must have broken your heart to let that mud blood Sinistra out of your greasy clutches...but then again you, like I, don't have a heart" Voldemort spat as Snape cowered before him.

Snape glared back at his master.

"Oh, maybe I am mistaken, you do have a heart Severus...ha...not for much longer..."

Voldemort surveyed the darkening sky through the canopy of leaves above. "The Forbidden Forest is full of creatures like you, skulking in the darkest shadows, but I have a task much greater for you than killing mandrakes Severus...a task that many of my followers would die to accomplish. But for you this will be a punishment. Those who cross me will pay the price for their disobedience...a vampire possesses the power to drain a victim of their defences and if one wishes, to kill them. For you the task is simple, I want you to bring me Potter...alive"

Snape looked blankly at Voldemort, appearing not to understand.

"Dear me Severus, do you not understand what I am asking you to do? Has becoming a vampire affected your intelligence? Well you see, you must bring. me. Harry, Potter." Voldemort raised his wand over Snape almost carelessly. A nerve twitched near Snape's mouth, yet he otherwise appeared unperturbed.

"And...to ensure there will be no more digressions...imperio!"

- - - - - -

"Do you know what's wrong with Hagrid?" Hermione asked Harry as they sat in the Gryffindor common room on Friday afternoon. "I saw him in the corridor and stopped to talk to him but he seemed really upset and didn't say anything."

"Erm...well...I haven't been to see him for a while," Harry said uncomfortably.

"Haven't you heard?" Dean asked, turning around in his seat to talk to them. "He was breeding some Akalobs for us to study but this morning he found them dead in the paddock. Something had savaged them."

Neville gave an involuntary twitch.

"What's up Neville, it wasn't you was it?" Ron chuckled. Neville didn't answer but smiled weakly.

"I wonder what it is. Do you think it has any connection to the mandrakes?" Hermione asked, looking puzzled.

"Possibly... Oh well, whatever it is, Hagrid will catch it," Harry said confidently.

"Yeah, and he'll probably start breeding it!" Ron sniggered.

Neville looked positively horrified!