Always By Your Side

Chapter 10: Dark Plans

DISCLAIMER: I do not own J.K. Rowling's work.

A/N: Sorry for such a long delay! I've been working to replace the first eight of my other story's chapters, so I've been neglecting this story. This chapter will be based mostly on Severus and the Dark Side. Please review!

start chapter General PoV

A traitorous man, known by most as Wormtail or Peter Pettigrew, walked unsteadily down a damp corridor, struggling to balance the black bundle he held in his arms. He entered through a large, ornate door and deposited his responsibility into a chair. After he was relieved of his burden, Wormtail couldn't help but release a thankful sigh; the dead weight he carried was much heavier than it seemed.

"Is it such a chore to carry your master, Wormtail?" came a voice from the wrapped bundle. The voice, high and cold, was tinged with dangerous amusement, and made Wormtail shiver with fear of his Master.

"N-no M-master, n-not at a-all," Wormtail stuttered in reply, bowing low.

"Very well. Wormtail, summon Nagini. I will need another feeding." The command had Wormtail hurrying out of the room, nearly tripping over himself in his haste to obey. The chilling chuckles that followed him didn't calm Wormtail in the least.

Soon enough, Wormtail came rushing back into the dark room, with a Stunned man in tow. "M-master, I found th-this Muggle in the hallway. W-what should I d-do?"

"Revive him, Wormtail, that I might speak with him." At this, Wormtail whispered, Enervate, and the old man's eyes slowly opened.

"Who are you, old man?" Wormtail's Master demanded.

"I am the gardener of the Riddle House," answered the old man with dignity, lifting his chin up defiantly. "Who are you?"

"Wormtail, unwrap my blanket so this Muggle might see exactly what I am." Wormtail whimpered, but obeyed the command. As the old man stared in horrified terror, the red eyes of Lord Voldemort looked fiercely back, before a flash of green light claimed the gardener.

scene change General PoV

"Master, how is it you are alive?" whispered a kneeling figure.

Voldemort, carried by Wormtail, answered in his ice-cold voice, "Though my soul left my body when the Killing Curse rebounded, the steps I took in striving to become immortal saved my soul. I have utilized a Dark Spell to regain a form of my own, and though it is pitiful, I relish having a body. Soon, though, I will acquire a form truly my own, through my rebirth. Lestrange, you will be honored far beyond my disloyal Death Eaters, for you have remained faithful to your Master. I will act upon this loyalty and free you from this prison. The dementors will decide soon which side they will belong to."

Sure enough, a hooded dementor glided along the dank aisle between the cells of Azkaban, leading hundreds behind him, and approached Lord Voldemort.

"My lord, we will serve you," hissed a voice from under the hood. The dementor kneeled in the aisle and bowed his head. Hundreds of other dementors bowed with him.

"At last, my faithful supporters, we will triumph over Dumbledore and his filthy Mudbloods. Lord Voldemort will return, stronger than ever before."

scene change Katarina's PoV

When I looked at the front page of the Daily Prophet the next morning, a feeling of doom wiggled its way into the pit of my stomach. I didn't feel much like eating, not after reading the bold headline of the newspaper: "Azkaban Security Compromised!" and the subtitle under that: "Ten Most Feared Supporters of You-Know-Who Free!"

As I glanced down the teachers' table, I saw my colleagues murmuring amongst themselves, varying expressions of fear and concern darkening their faces. As I looked to the student body, however, it was an entirely different story. I saw the same thing I saw every morning: most students were eating breakfast while chatting merrily, some kids arguing about Quidditch teams, with others scribbling away on their assignments furiously. Not a single student seemed to be aware of the danger that was looming outside of the safe walls of Hogwarts.

Sirius put a comforting hand on my back, seeming to understand my depressed mood. I reveled in the comfort he offered me. Although I had vowed not to get romantically involved with anyone, I convinced myself that I could still keep Sirius' friendship. And right now I was thankful of my decision; I needed all the love and comfort my friends gave me.

scene change General PoV

"Yes, Headmaster. I am sure of it. The Dark Lord has given me instructions to create a potion that I know to be the potion meant for his revival. I am to bring it tonight." From a dark corner of the Headmaster's office, agitated pacing could be heard.

"Severus, I simply ask you to take care. I do not blame you for what Voldemort has instructed you to do. Create the potion. We will face Voldemort when the time comes."

"Thank you, Albus. I will go make the potion." After the heartfelt gratitude was expressed, footsteps were heard receding from the office.

In the dark corner, two eyes gleamed in the darkness as the rat known as Peter Pettigrew rushed to tell his Master what he had discovered. For Wormtail knew that Snape was told not to report anything about the potion to Dumbledore. The Dark Lord had suspected for a long time that his favored Potions Master, his spy in Hogwarts, had in fact turned spy on the Dark Lord. He had sent Wormtail to follow Snape without being noticed, to see if it could be confirmed either way. Now Wormtail had his answer.

scene change General PoV

"My lord, I beg your permission to present your new faithful," Bellatrix Lestrange bowed to the Dark Lord, her nose nearly touching the cold floor of the Riddle House. Her heart beat faster as there came no reply to her introduction. As she dared to look upward into her lord's snake-like face, she saw with a relief that the Dark Lord was staring thoughtfully at the robed figure behind her.

"You have my permission," acknowledged the Dark Lord, still looking contemplative.

Bellatrix beckoned forward the figure and said, "My lord, I am honored to bring into your ranks a loyal servant, Becki Baslein, my niece. She is from a pure-blooded line and has very powerful capabilities." Bellatrix bowed low once more and backed away, melding into the circle of black-robed Death Eaters gathered. Becki was left in the center of the circle, kneeling in front of the Dark Lord's chair.

"Rise, Baslein, and unmask," ordered Voldemort. Becki stood up in one fluid motion and pulled off the mask and hood, revealing a startlingly beautiful face. She possessed clear blue eyes that held no fear and sharp features that showed wariness and intelligence. Her entrancing face was framed by dark hair that fell to her back. Although she had heavy robes on, it was clear that she had a short stature and a lithe figure, much like a gymnast.

"Come forward to receive your Mark," came the chilling order. Baslein walked calmly forward and rolled up her sleeve as she went. Two skeletal fingers touched the pale skin of her left forearm. Searing pain nearly blinded Baslein, and a hissing was heard as the Dark Mark was burned into the pale flesh. Becki bit her lip to prevent her from screaming, ignoring the blood that resulted.

"Very good, Baslein," said Voldemort approvingly. He looked down at his new pet Death Eater with affection. She would be a strong witch in his ranks, and would provide him with power that none other could give. He could sense the power radiating from her, as well as the darkness that shrouded her black soul. "Now, Baslein, as a warning, I will allow Lucius to give you a small demonstration of what happens to traitors." He signaled Lucius Malfoy to step forward.

Malfoy left his place in the circle and came into the middle, pointing his wand at Becki. "Crucio!"

Becki's knees gave out and she sank gracefully to the floor, with no screams issuing from her mouth. From where she knelt she contorted her face into intense concentration as she ignored the excruciating pain. Suddenly, she lifted her head and met Malfoy's wary eyes. On shaking legs she rose and laughed in his face. The hard, bitter laugh chilled the other Death Eaters to the bone, and delighted Voldemort.

"Baslein, you have passed your test. Now you truly belong to the ranks of the Death Eaters. Observe, a traitor in our midst is about to be punished. At this moment he is arriving, unknowingly placing himself in my trap."

"Who, my lord?" Becki was the only one brave enough to venture the question. However, Voldemort didn't mind too much; Baslein had gotten the tone perfect – intelligent, bold, but simultaneously submissive.

"Severus Snape."

end chapter

A/N: How was that? Sorry for such a long delay! Please review! Thank you!

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