Disclaimer: Owns Harry Potter, J.K. Rowling does. With her, the Force is.

Comments

ADandMM4eva:#1; Severus will be okay. He's just really sensitive about his worst memory. He'll get over it by the end of the story (I hope)!

#2; As I mentioned below (see my comments to Quill of Minerva), more ADMM goodness is coming in Chapter 8!

#3; I'm glad you're lovin' it!

#4; I apologize for the errors you found in Chapter 5. I think I really rushed that chapter. Grammar is not my forte, especially my comma use. I'm trying to get better at it, though. Also, I think some of the spacing between words is getting screwed up when I upload chapters. Thanks for pointing that out to me!

#5; Here's my next update! Hope you enjoy it!

Kassy: Snape will get better...eventually!

Quill of Minerva: I feel sorry for Snape, too. Oh, and good news: the next chapter (Chapter 8) will have some more ADMM in it!

Q-BriarXJade-Q: You likey? Yay!

Thanks for all the awesome reviews! Enjoy!

saiyanwizardgurl

Chapter 7: Painful Allegiance

Severus Snape Apparated to Riddle Manor. The house was settled on a wide stretch of lawn in a small town called Little Hangleton. It was a dark and dreary house on an old property, one that attracted much attention because the Muggles thought it was haunted. The Riddles had been murdered in this house; a man by the name of Frank Bryce, who was now dead, had been falsely accused of being the murderer, but every Death Eater knew the truth: Voldemort had killed the Riddles. As a teenager fresh out of Hogwarts, he had strolled into his father's house and casually assassinated him, his wife, and his son with the mere flick of his wand. The Dark Lord, being his father's son, inherited the house. He did not fancy it much, but he was currently using it as a meeting place for the Death Eaters.

The Potions Master strode from the Apparation point on the outskirts of the property towards the house. He hesitantly put his hand on the rusty door handle and was surprised when it turned without breaking off. Walking down the dusty hall, he heard recognizable voices coming from the kitchen.

"Why are we doing this again?" Macnair.

"Because the Dark Lord wants that prophecy!" Pettigrew.

"What's so important about the stupid prophecy?" Lestrange.

"How should we know? The Dark Lord just wants it; it's not our position to be concerned." Avery.

"When do you think we'll go get it?" Goyle.

"I'd say end of May, beginning of June, but I'm not sure – ah, Severus, so nice to see you. How is my son?"

"I can assure you that your son is doing quite well in his classes, Lucius," said Snape. "A fine potions brewer, no doubt."

"Excellent. I won't have the Mudblood riff raff like Miss Granger outshining the pure bloods," said Lucius.

"Too right!" said Macnair. "Time shouldn't be wasted on them!"

"Excuse me, boys," said a female voice from the bottom of the staircase. When the Potions Master turned around, he saw that it was Bellatrix Lestrange. "I hate to interrupt your conversation, but the Dark Lord requests our presence."

The Death Eaters walked silently up the stairs that led to Voldemort's "throne room." It was just like a throne room. It was a magnificent room filled with countless trinkets, both Muggle and wizard, that glowed eerily in the firelight. The Death Eaters made their usual circle around the room and waited for the Dark Lord to respond. Voldemort sat in his usual high-backed chair with his eyes narrowed and arms crossed, which meant one thing: the Dark Lord was furious.

"You," said Voldemort suddenly, pointing at Macnair, "how is the situation in the Department of Mysteries?"

"As…as well as can be expected, Master!" said Macnair, preventing himself from stuttering too badly. "I feel we are getting closer to obtaining the prophecy, and – "

"Liar," said Voldemort casually. "Lucius! How about you? Have you been able to get any insights from you position at the ministry?"

"No, my lord," said Malfoy. "The minister has not a clue about the Department of Mysteries. I probably know more about it than him."

"I see," said Voldemort, skeptically. "Severus!"

"Yes, my lord?"

"How is the potion coming along?"

"I assure you that you will have it by the date you requested."

"Excellent! And you!" said Voldemort, pointing at Avery. "Has your group come up with anything?"

"N-no…my lord…the situation has proven most difficult, and – "

"That's enough. It seems that you all cannot follow instructions."

"But my lord – "

"Master, you must understand – "

"It's just that – "

"Silence! I told you all what your assignments were. You were given ample time. You are not producing results. You all must learn your lesson."

"My lord, please – " began Macnair.

"Crucio!"

Macnair let out a wounded scream, slumped to the ground, and began writhing and jerking before Voldemort. "Well done, Macnair," said the Dark Lord after about a minute. "It seems you are the first volunteer. Who's next?"

A small shiver ran down Snape's spine, but Voldemort did not notice because Avery stepped back. "Well thank you, Avery. Crucio!"

Just as Macnair had done, Avery fell to the ground and started twitching and squirming. His screaming was ringing in Severus' ears. "Stop! Stop! Please, my lord! Have mercy!"

"Mercy!" screamed the Dark Lord. "I know not the meaning of mercy!" Voldemort must have upped the flow of energy being put into the curse, because Avery let out another long howl and began to bend at funny angles.

On and on the meeting went, each Death Eater unable to resist screaming in pain. Lucius Malfoy and Bellatrix Lestrange both put up good fights, but after a minute or two, they gave up and cried out like how those before them had. Now Severus was the only one left.

"Well, Severus, let's see how you do. Crucio!"

The Potions Master felt his already aching body explode with pain. The pressure was so great; Snape would hardly be surprised if his muscles were bursting. The Potions Master's eyes snapped shut, but despite the agony he was in, he did not scream; only his right knee buckled slightly. This seemed to make Voldemort happy, almost excited.

"Well done, Severus," said the Dark Lord. "Let's see if you can last longer than Lucius."

The pain intensified, and Snape dropped to his knees. Snape dared not opened his eyes; he did not want to see the look of satisfaction on Voldemort's face. His skin was flaming hot and his hair felt like it was being pulled out.

"Hmmm. Seems your determined today, Severus."

The pain that shot forth was mind-boggling. He was down on all fours now. Snape was shaking. The power surging through his body was building. If it continued on like this, he was sure he would explode. And yet, he did not cry out.

"Excellent, Severus!" said Voldemort enthusiastically. "It seems we have a new record!"

The Potions Master suddenly felt the pain increase a thousand times. His bones were shattering, his blood was boiling, his muscles were being ripped to shreds. His world was caving in, and Snape was falling fast. A high-pitched scream echoed in his head as he let out a scream of his own.

"Very good, Severus," said the Dark Lord, waving off the curse. "I knew you would not disappoint." Turning his back on the congregation of Death Eaters, he said, "May your allegiance never waver. I believe that's all for now. You may go."

Snape got shakily to his feet. He saw that a few of the other Death Eaters had somewhat regained control of their bodies. The Potions Master stumbled out of the room with them, almost rolling down the staircase. When they walked down the hall, he heard a soft thud that sounded like someone behind him smashing into something. Whoever was in front of him flung open the side door carelessly, slamming it hard into Malfoy's face. If Snape had not been in pain, he would have almost laughed out loud. The Death Eaters spilled out onto the vast lawn, many of them actually taking a spill as they tripped over their own feet. The person behind Snape collapsed suddenly and fell on him. The Potions Master found himself being dragged to the ground, and his face hit moist grass. He wiggled his thin frame out from under the big oaf (probably Crabbe) and crawled to the edge of the property. Pulling himself to his feet, he Apparated back to the Forbidden Forest.

……………

Half an hour later, Snape was back in the dungeons. He ripped off his already torn robes and stepped into the shower. The Potions Master let the hot water run down his body, hoping that it would ease his pain slightly. After about five minutes, he turned off the tap and stepped out of the shower. He put on a pair of black sleep pants and reached for a shirt, but he slipped in a small puddle of water, nearly slamming his head on the toilet. Cursing under his breath, he forgot the shirt and stumbled into his room.

The room was pitch black except for the soft glowing light of his alarm clock, which read 1:49 am. His shin accidentally bumped into the coffee table, and he fell to the ground near the couch. He tried to push himself up, but his muscles gave out and his vision was blurring. Snape gave up on getting up, and he fell asleep on the dungeon's cold stone floor.