Disclaimer (that I really hate to write every chapter so I think I'll just
write something along the lines of "You know the legal stuff," and be done
with it, but I don't think that'll cut it for all of the legal spawn of
Satan: I don't own the characters. J.K. Rowling is a Goddess. Yes, she is.
I own Molly D., Lester, and a few others. I also own St. David's. Not
legally, though---costs too much, anyway. I don't make any money from this.
Pity, but I try to find other ways..oh, the joys of upside-down, underwater
basket weaving.
A/N: Okay....much much much apologies for my HUGE break, but I've been busy...school, softball, school, and the lot. But I'm on SB now, so HAVE NO FEAR!! AN UPDATE IS HERE!! Hope you keep reading and reviewing...I'm starving. Peace! Enjoy!
Hermione finally reached the table, breathless. "What's up?" asked Harry, concerned.
"Yeah, Herm, you look upset and distraught," commented Ron, after observing an upset and distraught Hermione. Hermione was still reviewing the past ten minutes mentally, trying to analyze what she'd just seen. A Death Eater?? At St. David's? She doubted that the Ministry knew what he was involved with, otherwise, he most likely wouldn't have been hired.
"I'm...I'm fine. It's nothing, really. I...I just found some really interesting stuff to tell you about, that's all."
"Oh. Well, okay, Hermione, but you're sure you're okay?" asked Harry, sounding slightly relieved.
"I'm sure, Harry. Thanks."
She had no idea why she didn't tell them what she'd seen, nor why she felt that they were better off not knowing. Probably because she didn't want them to worry any more than they had to. They were already worried enough about Voldemort as it was, they didn't need any more. She had also noticed a bit of detachment on Harry's part. Before, she'd been able to see deep into those unfathomable green eyes and know what he was thinking about and feeling. But no more. She couldn't ever tell like she used to. Something was worrying him.
"So....do y'all want to go get some ice cream? I want to try Fortesque's new flavour changing ice cream.," she asked, trying to get off the topic.
"Oh, yeah. Sounds great Herm!" said Ron.
"Sure," replied Harry.
Ginny, who had been uncharacteristically quiet until now, responded with an affirmative smile and nod. Harry and Ron could never understand Hermione as well as Ginny could, so, as usual, she knew something was up. And it show in her eyes. As if on cue, she went over to Hermione right when the boys had gone on ahead. "Spill."
****
"D'ai stiho," said the Dark Lord, by way of greeting. "Tonight, we will begin the process of loyalty testing," as Snape began to think about how unnaturally dull the title "Loyalty Testing" was compared to "The Evil and Supreme Weeding Out Of Those Who Are Double-Crossing Me, The Evil Guy Of Doom," but then regained his attention.
"This testing will consist of showing how far each of you is willing to go to show me that you are loyal. Murder, cunning plans, information, and Ministry infiltration are all acceptable, depending on how valuable each of these are. You must also go through various written tests, sacrifices, and allegiance pledges."
"Written tests? Allegiance pledges? He's lost his touch," Snape thought.
Next to him Lucius smirked. "Y'know, Severus, you're going to have to do really well on these tests. The Dark Lord has set these tests for several of us in particular. You're one of his targets," he muttered under his breath. Snape pretended not to notice.
"...And many of you, I'm afraid must pass these perfectly, or you will be deemed unfaithful, and therefore disposed of cruelly."
This went on for several more minutes until He finally dismissed them. Among his evil talk were Harry Potter destruction plans (most likely unsuccessful), new ideas thrown around for the upcoming evil bake sale, and shrubberies for the Evil Meeting Place of Solitude (after this was mention, Snape could've sworn that he'd heard a few Death Eaters utter "NI!").
When it was clear that Snape had no other business there, he disapparated to Dumbledore's office for a debriefing, after which he went secluded himself to his quarters and indulged in a nice bottle of Firewhiskey.
A/N: Okay....much much much apologies for my HUGE break, but I've been busy...school, softball, school, and the lot. But I'm on SB now, so HAVE NO FEAR!! AN UPDATE IS HERE!! Hope you keep reading and reviewing...I'm starving. Peace! Enjoy!
Hermione finally reached the table, breathless. "What's up?" asked Harry, concerned.
"Yeah, Herm, you look upset and distraught," commented Ron, after observing an upset and distraught Hermione. Hermione was still reviewing the past ten minutes mentally, trying to analyze what she'd just seen. A Death Eater?? At St. David's? She doubted that the Ministry knew what he was involved with, otherwise, he most likely wouldn't have been hired.
"I'm...I'm fine. It's nothing, really. I...I just found some really interesting stuff to tell you about, that's all."
"Oh. Well, okay, Hermione, but you're sure you're okay?" asked Harry, sounding slightly relieved.
"I'm sure, Harry. Thanks."
She had no idea why she didn't tell them what she'd seen, nor why she felt that they were better off not knowing. Probably because she didn't want them to worry any more than they had to. They were already worried enough about Voldemort as it was, they didn't need any more. She had also noticed a bit of detachment on Harry's part. Before, she'd been able to see deep into those unfathomable green eyes and know what he was thinking about and feeling. But no more. She couldn't ever tell like she used to. Something was worrying him.
"So....do y'all want to go get some ice cream? I want to try Fortesque's new flavour changing ice cream.," she asked, trying to get off the topic.
"Oh, yeah. Sounds great Herm!" said Ron.
"Sure," replied Harry.
Ginny, who had been uncharacteristically quiet until now, responded with an affirmative smile and nod. Harry and Ron could never understand Hermione as well as Ginny could, so, as usual, she knew something was up. And it show in her eyes. As if on cue, she went over to Hermione right when the boys had gone on ahead. "Spill."
****
"D'ai stiho," said the Dark Lord, by way of greeting. "Tonight, we will begin the process of loyalty testing," as Snape began to think about how unnaturally dull the title "Loyalty Testing" was compared to "The Evil and Supreme Weeding Out Of Those Who Are Double-Crossing Me, The Evil Guy Of Doom," but then regained his attention.
"This testing will consist of showing how far each of you is willing to go to show me that you are loyal. Murder, cunning plans, information, and Ministry infiltration are all acceptable, depending on how valuable each of these are. You must also go through various written tests, sacrifices, and allegiance pledges."
"Written tests? Allegiance pledges? He's lost his touch," Snape thought.
Next to him Lucius smirked. "Y'know, Severus, you're going to have to do really well on these tests. The Dark Lord has set these tests for several of us in particular. You're one of his targets," he muttered under his breath. Snape pretended not to notice.
"...And many of you, I'm afraid must pass these perfectly, or you will be deemed unfaithful, and therefore disposed of cruelly."
This went on for several more minutes until He finally dismissed them. Among his evil talk were Harry Potter destruction plans (most likely unsuccessful), new ideas thrown around for the upcoming evil bake sale, and shrubberies for the Evil Meeting Place of Solitude (after this was mention, Snape could've sworn that he'd heard a few Death Eaters utter "NI!").
When it was clear that Snape had no other business there, he disapparated to Dumbledore's office for a debriefing, after which he went secluded himself to his quarters and indulged in a nice bottle of Firewhiskey.