A/N: Finally back, with a complete chapter this time. I finally get a plotline in this, can you believe that ?
Disclaimer: I own my plotline, but the rest is Hers.
5. Deadly potions
Sometimes I dream. I remember happier times, when I was younger. Times before the death of my mother. Those dreams do not happen often and always leave me wondering in the morning, surprised that I can still remember. I try to forget them, forget the few happy memories that I still retain. It's safer this way; the dementors cannot hurt me too much if I don't feel anything. But no matter how hard I try, I can't forget the pain, the hatred, the despair… the utter loss of hope. The only time I allow myself to feel some happiness is when I'm before a cauldron, ingredients ready to be added, stirred, boiled… I can't help it. Potion brewing is such a marvelous thing, the only thing I've ever been really able to do. There is nearly nothing impossible when you have the right potion. Voldemort proved it when he came back in June 1995.
Voldemort, my so-called Master. I despise him. Since I've been uncovered as a spy, he hasn't stopped torturing me. Breaking my body, then healing it just enough to be able to brew. He hasn't even tried to get information. He probably knows it is useless.
The cell door opens and reveals Lucius. He looks tired, old. The death of his only son and heir was a hard blow, yet I know he did absolutely nothing to prevent it. He only blames Potter. The fool!
Weakly, I get up and follow him to the potion lab. The Dark Lord is already here, pacing. He stops long enough to gaze at me, studying, considering possibilities. He looks calm for the first time since Potter escaped. I don't know how the brat managed that. Must be thanks to another spy, one that I never knew. Voldemort has been trying to find him for quite some time, without any result. Another reason for him to be furious. I doubt the sudden change of temper bodes well.
"Traitor, you are to work on a new potion."
He said The word. Instantly, my mind stops its musing to consider the matter at hand. A new potion? I can't help the shiver of excitation that runs along my spin as I think of a new project.
"This", he shows me a heavy leather bound tome, "is a study of the ritual that helped me to have my body back. It was written by Mordred. You will work with Lucius and use it to create a potion that will not bring back the dead but create a replica of a dead person. Something that will look like them, talk like them, act like them, even retain their memory if you can manage it but will still be under my control. I expect it done soon…"
He let the threat hang in the air. Unable to do anything else, I bow my head. He smirks then leaves, leaving me alone with Malfoy.
He immediately urges me to begin my work. I take a set of parchment, a quill and start to read. First is the potion itself, a brew with Dark Arts ingredients, bones of the father, flesh of a servant and blood of the ennemy. Then the study, explaining how the ingredients react with one another to remold the body of the one inside the cauldron and make sure the new body will not depend on anything to stay alive and with the same magical strength.
At this point I stop reading and start looking at the notes I've taken, thinking.
Already I've got quite a grasp of how to make what the Dark Lord desire, but should I write it? Do it? He wants me to recreate the lost and forbidden Art of Necromancy, which was seen as worst than the Unforgivables when still practiced. I know if I refuse, he will either torture me into doing it anyway or find another Potion Master, more agreeable. I can't let that happen, so I'll have to do what he wants, in my own way. I know I can manage to make this potion complicated enough that he will not use it whithout a good reason and at the same time not too difficult to brew so as not to arouse his suspicion. That way I'll also be able to invent a potion able to counter whatever result Necromancy has. Then I'll just have to discover who this new spy is, give him or her the instruction to brew the counter potion and anything useful to know about the Necromancy Draught. All this with Malfoy and Voldemort both breathing down my neck, both knowing I'm trying to spoil the Dark Lord's plans, and of course without giving away the spy's identity. It shouldn't be too difficult, I've been doing that kind of thing since I got away from Hogwarth. I've even managed to stay alive as a know and captured traitor. I'll surely find out how best to foil Voldemort's plans. I can even try to know if his ressurection can somehow be reversed. Or find a way to help Potter destroy him...
"Severus, stop daydreaming and do your work." The calm but tight voice of lucius interrupt my musings. I had almost forgotten he was there. Damn, I can't let myself become oblivious.
Making sure my face gives nothing away, I scowl.
"This is how I work, Lucius." I snarl before going back to my notes.
I'll need the bones of the dead person, flesh or blood or hair of one living relative, or one of its hair if still available. The 'flesh of a servant' was only required to give an independant life and Voldemort wants a puppet. Some blood of the one controlling the replica, to create a link allowing the control. The rest of the potion is easy to work out with Mordred's work. Vaguely, i recall that Mordred was the last Necromancy Master and that he was killde by Merlin who then tried to destroy all of his work and banned necromancy.
By the end of the day (what i guess is a day since I don't have the priviledge of seeing daylight) I tell Lucius the potion theory is done. I do not mention the fact that I also devised a potion made to destroy the link between the replica and its master. The puppet may have magic of its own, but its life force will come from the one controlling it. Thus destroying the link will kill it. Maybe the same potion could sever the connection between Potter and the Dark Lord. Or maybe not.
Lucius has me escorted back to my cell while he goes to see his Lord. Now all is left for me to do is find that damn spy and give him the instruction for the other potion.
Voldemort is in the potion lab the next morning. I have to explain to him how the potion work and what he'll be able to do with his puppet. He inquires about the life force matter. I answer that the replica cannot be used to weaken him. He is pleased.
He informs me that I'll be brewing the Necromancy Draught in a week, the time needed to gather all of the ingredients. The potion itself will take ten hours to brew and the result will be best if done a night of full moon, then the replica will be closest to what it was when alive. How convenient that the next moon is in a week.
"My Lord, may I know who I will be 'bringing back'?" I ask prudently.
His smile makes me shiver.
"Can't you guess, Severus?"
Lucius makes a small strangled noise. I look at him, he is suddendly deathly pale. And then I understand.
"Draco..."
Tbc
A/N: here, the end of the chapter. So Evil Overlord Voldy is back with another nefarious plan to wreck havoc on the poor witharding world. But you wont hear of it for some time since next few chapters deals with Harry's memories of his sixth year. Lot of harryxdraco coming !
Review responses :
Tom: no comment.
Tini: Well, as I said the hpdm is coming next chapter. The lyrics were from Nightwish, a fantastic band from finland. I love their songs, even if they're a bit dark sometimes.
Can't wait for Half Blood Prince!