Chapter Five - A meeting with the Dark Lord

A/N - I have never been to Borthwick Castle, Edinburgh, Scotland, but it does exist and I should like to go there very much.

A week passed, and Snape was pleased to see that Bellatrix slept in the spare room rather than demolishing his study, the first stages of post-mortem greif had obviously wearing off. Although she would sometimes get drunk on wine and start crying uncontrollably, At least, Snape thought to himself, she has taken to torturing Wormtail rather than break my things.

She very rarely exited her room except to use the bathroom or come to get dinner which she quickly brought back to her room and tested for potions. Snape had the feeling that she avoided him, which, in his opinion, wasn't too bad a thing. Embarrassed about the incident with the Vertaserum (which Wormtail was heavily punished for), Snape did not talk to her for fear of getting his head ripped off or worse. But then something happened which changed all this.

He was in his study, reading, when a sudden jolt of pain burned on his wrist. Rolling up his sleeve, he saw that his dark mark was glowing. At that precise moment, Bellatrix breezed into the room, her emerald green dress-robes swishing and her pointed black boots tapping on the floor with every step. 'The mark is burning.' She announced, Wormtail at her heels. 'The Dark Lord is summoning us to his company.'

'I have noticed.' Snape answered flatly. Putting down his book, he walked over to the window and peered out. Though his house had been bewitched so strongly that aurors had been unable to find it, and the only people who new how to get to it were Death Eaters and the Dark Lord himself, he drew the curtains shut quickly. He did not like to risk any unwanted attention, not even by the passing animals scurrything through the snow.

Pocketing his wand, his eyes met Bella's for a quick moment before the three of them simultaneously apparated. Though she had quickly rearranged her face to the usual guarded sneer, he had glimpsed, for a the length of a second, the inside of her soul, the extent of it twisting and contorting his own opinions and thoughts of her.

In that short second he had felt such an intense mixture of hatred, of greif, of guilt, and the burning passion of lust; that he almost keeled over.

Her eyes were a swirling pool of deep, endless black, and in them he had read two silent words, words that she would never have ever let slip, not even in admission to herself.

Help me.

During the apparating, his insides writhed, and he knew it wasn't just the affect of the transportation, wich he was very used to by now. He tried not to think on it, though it consumed his mind. Of course, thier last encounter at dinner had been an odd one. Maybe this was revenge; maybe Bellatrix had thrown up images for him. Somehow he doubted it - not even Bella could throw up images as strong as that; not to such an accomplished Legilimens such as himself.

With a crack They appeared in a small, dark room, the doors heavily boarded and charmed against invasion. The carpet and thick curtains were a crimson colour, embroidered with gold.

Strange choice of Gryffindor colours for the Dark Lord's headquarters, Snape thought, but he had never questioned or argued; he simply accepted it.

In the corner was a blazing fire, which gave off the only light in the room, and encircled around it were many high-backed chairs. A voice emitted from one of them.

'Ah, you have come at last. Take a seat.'

They sat. By the flickering light of the fire they saw all that were present(the select insiders); Narcissa, Lucius and Draco Malfoy; Walden Macnair, Anotonin Dolohov, Augustus Rookwood, Crabbe and Goyle senior, and Fenrir Greyback.

There were two prominant empty seats; death eaters that had been killed. Rudolphis Lestrange by Neville Longbottom, and Andromeda Tonks by her own daughter, Nymphadora.

Bellatrix sat at the Dark Lord's side, Wormtail did what was expected and sat on the floor. Snape sat next to Draco Malfoy, ignoring the seething look that the boy was giving him. Draco had still not got over the fact that he had failed to kill Dumbledore; and took it out on Snape who had done it for him. Snape pointedly ignored the boy's distain and looked straight ahead, his head bowed reverently, at the Dark Lord.

'The sixth horcrux has been uncovered and destroyed.' The Dark Lord began. Several around the room gasped, though none spoke, as it was evident that the Dark Lord had more news.

'I had sent Avery and Nott to uncover the sixth Horcrux and bring it back to me before Potter, Longbottom, Lovegood, Weasley and the Mudblood found and destroyed it. Avery and Nott failed, and have been disposed of by my hand. Again Potter has outwitted me and my Death Eaters.'

His voice rose angrilly and many of the Death Eaters cowered in fear of it. A tear was running down Narcissa's cheek, she gripped Draco's hand tightly as Draco tried to pull it away unsuccesfully.

'The last Horcrux lies in a heavily sealed vault under the Muggle Castle of Borthwick in Edinburgh, Scotland. I beleive it will be Potter's next target. It must be uncovered and brought to me, where it will be safe. I am choosing two of you for this mission.'

At this, Draco started in his chair and Wormtail's eyes widened eagerly.

'And neither of you two,' The Dark Lord's lips curled into a cruel smile, 'I have already decided.'

The silence in the room was evident as the Dark Lord's red eyes swept over them.

'Bellatrix.' He said finally, 'You are my most loyal. you have failed me once, but I will give you a second chance. Do not fail me this time.'

Bellatrix wept and threw herself at his feet, which she kissed several times. 'Thankyou, my Lord. I will not fail you.'

'Yes yes, very well.' The Dark Lord waved her away.

'My second choice...' The air seemed thick with tension, 'Severus.'

Snape paused. Him? And Bella? Go to Scotland and uncover the seventh Horcrux?

Next to him Draco opened his mouth to argue but Narcissa pinched him hard.

'Thankyou, My Lord.' Snape bowed. 'It is an honour.'

'An honour, Severus? You are my most trustworthy Death Eater, I know I can count on you. Fail me, and I will decide your end.'

Snape bowed again, but inside he was troubled.

PR&R/rigamortis.