For the disclaimer see previous chapters
A/N: I hope that you all continue to enjoy and if you are reading this: REVIEW!
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"Your plan worked, my Lord. You finally have him!"
"Yes, no thanks to you, Wormtail. However, I would have wished that things had gone more smoothly. It's too bad about…" at that point Voldemort must have turned away from the room that Harry was located as he could no longer make out what he was saying. Soon however, the conversation continued at a volume that Harry could hear. "I thought he was to be trusted. This is betrayal in the highest way from my inner circle none the less. The punishment will be severe."
Harry tried to understand what was going on. Harry remembered that he was on his way toward Dervish and Banges when he heard a cry of "petrificus totalus." After that he figured they must have given him a sleeping potion because he realized that he was no longer under the curse as he could wiggle his fingers. He vaguely wondered who it was that had betrayed Voldemort, but his mind swiftly moved on to more important things like escaping.
"Oh great and wise master, may I now inquire after the rest of your plan? Now that you have him here what are you to do with him?" Wormtail sniveled.
"Insolent fool, do you really think I will inform you of my plans before I'm ready? You will know what you need to when you need to know it! 'Crucio'" screamed Voldemort.
Harry thought that the voices were coming from another room and dared to open his eyes just a slit. From what he could see there wasn't anyone around. He then opened his eyes a few more inches and moved his head left and right. He noticed that he was tied down by ropes supposedly from the "incarcerous" curse. Just then his eyes fell upon two other shapes. 'No,' he thought. 'It couldn't be! I can't believe it. I won't believe it!' What he saw then scared him more than the thought of being alone with Voldemort could. He saw his two best friends lying on the floor beside him. 'Oh, Hermione, Ron! How could this have happened?' Quickly Harry tried to think of something that would get them out of this situation. He suddenly remembered the Snape Crest. Relief flooded through his veins. If only he could get to Ron and Hermione he might be able to save them. Before he could think of a way to release himself, Voldemort slithered back into the room followed closely by a slinking Voldemort. 'Oh no!' Harry thought. 'I'm too late.'
"At last, we meet again, my dear Mr. Potter or should I say Mr. Snape." At this Harry's eyes widened in absolute and complete shock. "Oh yes, Mr. Snape. I do realize your big secret. I am a skilled occlumens and Snape let his guard down when he realized that I had captured you. I have now become aware of the full extent of his betrayal and he will be punished beyond comprehension."
Harry then realized that it was Snape whom they had been talking about early. A single tear rolled down Harry's cheek as he realized what this meant. But as quickly as the sadness came, it was replaced by a raw, raging anger. Anger that Harry knew must be focused if he wanted to not only escape but also bring Ron and Hermione with him. As he looked again at the forms of his two best friends, he realized that they were stirring. Harry just hoped that he would get his chance.
"I don't know if you realize what this means Harry. You must join me. As the son of one of my servants it is required that when they reach 16, they are to be branded into my service. The fact that he has betrayed me is of no consequence. So now Harry your fate and the fate of your friends, is in your hands. Either serve me or I will kill your friends, and you will be put under the imperius curse and serve me anyway. What is it to be, Mr. Potter?"
Harry realized that his only chance was to feign alliance to his worst enemy. If he could convince Voldemort that he realized that he could no longer fight, Voldemort might release him from the ropes. Harry put a look on his face that he hoped would express to Voldemort that he was considering fighting. He then let his face fall.
"I no longer am able to fight you. You are too strong for me… my, my Lord." Harry said with feigned remorse all the while trying to keep bile from rising in his throat at the thought of serving Voldemort. He knew he would rather die. "I will serve you until the end of my days."
"You made the right choice. You can become great among my circle. I will make you one of my inner circle. But first, you must prove your trustworthiness." Voldemort then released Harry from the ropes. "You must kill your precious friends. You no longer have friends but fellow deatheaters. You must not allow that muggleborn to live."
"But… master, you said that they would not be harmed." Harry protested but secretly knew that this was his chance. This was what he had been waiting for. He could prepare to kill them while diving on them just in time to press the snake eye and activate the portkey before Voldemort could react.
"No, young one, I said that I would not kill them. And I will not. You will."
With a look that he hoped conveyed utter fear and terror at the thought of killing his two best friends, he turned and faced them. Now fully awake, they were looking at him only with complete disbelief. Harry had moved and was now right at the feet of them. Harry raised his wand. Before Voldemort could react, Harry dived on top of them and groped for the Snape Crest on his left shoulder. He pushed in the eye before Voldemort even knew what had happened.
