blah blah means flashback, okay? Italics are said by Snape and remembered by Lucius, kind of a flashback too, but much shorter.

Chapter Nine

With his subtle-secret smile Lord Voldemort made himself comfortable on the bed, gently settling Severus's dark head into his lap and playing with his hair. How delicious it was to have this proud wizard in his power! Abandoning the ebony strands, his fingers moved to the tender flesh of Snape's pale neck. How vulnerable human beings were! He could break that neck without any great effort and Severus wouldn't even have time to gasp. He felt the warmth of the skin under his bony fingers. So beautifully warm, so much alive! Severus remained immobile, he did not stir under his touch, he did not move. "Farewell hope, and with hope farewell fear," was all he said in a soft, barely audible whisper.

"We're not in hell, dear child," smiled the dark wizard, stroking that white, warm neck. Was he giving up or was he planning something in that clever mind of his? Often had he wondered how long would Severus last under Cruciatus How long before his mind would snap?

There was no doubt that Snape was pondering something, but the Dark Lord knew the precise moment when to say nothing. Severus's weary gaze was turned to the window and he watched it with that strange interest in trivial things when things of high importance make one too afraid to face them. Finally he spoke, his voice firm and cold, "Let my father go, master. I'll do anything you want."

"But my precious child, you'll do anything anyway," laughed Voldemort, "I still find Tarquin useful and you have nothing to offer."

Severus rose from the bed and knelt down, his large eyes of satin fixed on the Dark Lord's face.

"You will have my obedience, master and your victory over Dumbledore. Isn't that what you wanted?"

Voldemort stood up and began circling the kneeling Potions Master slowly. "Severus. Severus. Severus. I don't trust you. Do you love him so much? Why? Tell me how it feels, I've never known."

"My relationship with my father is a complex thing, difficult to explain in words. You've never known, you'll never understand."

"He'll hate you when I do it," said the Dark Lord and buried his spidery fingers in Snape's hair. With a quiet laugh he yanked his head back, forcing him to look up at him. "I'll make sure that he believes you've betrayed everyone."

Without a word, Voldemort let go of Snape's hair and walked over to the door, glancing at Snape before leaving him alone. The confused wizard hardly had any time for thinking, for he was back soon. He grabbed his arm and went dragging him down the stairs into the cellars. Severus stumbled after him clumsily, wondering what the meaning of it was and stopped when he heard his father's angry loud voice, "Where is my son?" yelled Tarquinius and Severus cringed at the rough sound of it. "Where's that traitor? I want to see him, I want to . . ."

Severus jerked away from Voldemort's hand, ready to rush down to his father to tell him . . . tell him what? That he wasn't a traitor, that he cared for him, that he . . . loved him? What had they told him? What lies? He wanted to scream and run to him, but strong arms got hold of his wrists, slammed them against the hard wall and a hand covered his mouth, the fingers digging into is face. After a strained moment of silence, the Dark Lord leaned to him and whispered, watching the effect of each word upon Snape's face.

"Saving your skin and betraying everyone so that your father goes free . . . That's not very brave, dear child."

Severus's face became ghastly white and a horrible sense of sickness came over him. What had they told his father? He turned his face away from Voldemort who whispered into his ear, "I'm so sorry, my child. For now Quin goes free to assure Dumbledore and the others of your loyalty to me. Quite simple, isn't it? Why shouldn't they believe in your betrayal when they'll see him free? However, I won't stop to hunt him down and the next time he falls into my hands, I won't spare him."

A groan broke from Snape's lips and he shivered all over. He had wanted his father to be safe and he had known the price, so why did it hurt him so much? This way Voldemort could hurt only him and not his father. There was a possibility that he could regain his trust and use it to his means. And yet he felt as if an iron ring was being slowly tightened around his heart and the hand up on his wrist weighed like a hand of lead, crushing him. When the hands let go of him, he hurried to a nearby window. He could see him father being led away, he saw him struggling and kicking and no doubt cursing too. Voldemort's arms came around him, drawing him into an embrace and Severus let himself sank into his warmth. The hand caressing his hair was oddly comforting and despite his inner voice urging him to pull away, Severus let himself be held. Not even the whispered "You're mine" made him pull away. At that moment he needed someone to hold him.

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"What do you want here?" asked Lucius as icily as he could early in the morning, glaring at the unwelcomed visitor. Dumbledore brought a chair closer to his bed and sat down.

"Good morning, Mr. Malfoy. Believe it or not, I need your help."

Lucius ran a hand over his face and groaned. "This early? How rude of you to wake me up at this hour! Clearly some wizards have no manners! You must have known that I'm not going to help you with anything."

"You will, Lucius," said Dumbledore softly, "Severus needs your help."

"Severus?"

In a moment he was sitting up straight. "But Potter told me in the hospital that he was recovering well!" What could have happened to him? Was he ill? Some illness only he could help with? Did he need something?

Dumbledore smiled. There it was, clearly a concern for his friend's well being. Lucius would help. "Severus has been captured by Voldemort."

The words made Lucius pale. "What do you mean by 'captured'?" he screamed angrily.

"You have no idea," sighed Dumbledore. So Severus hadn't trusted his friend with his secret. He reached out and patted Malfoy's shoulder, but was shrugged off.

"Keep your disgusting hands away from me, old man!" hissed Lucius. Severus captured by Voldemort. Captured… No, Severus would never like to HIM, to his friend. "Severus is loyal to the Lord," whispered Lucius, but his voice sounder weak and unconvinced in his hesitation.

"Lucius, there's not a moment to be lost. Voldemort has Tarquinius too!"

The Death Eater flinched at his master's name. Voldemort… Severus…

Lucius, it's an honour to serve him…

No, Severus's loyalty was unquestionable.

Come with me, Lu. What he has to offer, you have never been able to dream about.

"No, not Severus…"

He's been to places no wizard has ever been…

"… not a traitor…"

Join us, Lucius.

"… never Sev…"

A worried frown settled in Dumbledore's ancient face as he watched his former student. Gently he shook him to wake him up from his reverie, but Lucius didn't react. He was lost in his memories.

Master, let me introduce Lucius Malfoy to you.

"Lucius, snap out of it!"

The only thing Lucius was aware of (beside his fear) was the dreadful coldness of the moonlit night and a pair of glowing red eyes. He dared not to look into them, so he was staring at the dark wizard's boots. And fine boots they were, the finest dragon skin, hand made, undoubtedly expensive. A dry laughter reached his ears and Lucius shivers, averting his gaze to Severus's feet. That was an exquisite robe he was wearing… "Luciusss," hissed the laughing wizard, causing Lucius to tremble more, "I have long desired to meet you in person."

With a gasp, Lucius realised he was looking into the sky blue eyes of Albus Dumbledore. He had never seen that expression in his face, what was it? The missing twinkle, pale face… he looked sad! Indeed, Dumbledore was watching him with sadness. "I've never known," he said.

"He…" Lucius couldn't bring himself to say Snape's name, "… he betrayed me. How can you expect me to help you?"

"I know that you care for him. He's more than a friend to you, Lucius."

Malfoy's grey eyes widened and Dumbledore smiled. "Yes, I know. Now tell me where he may be."

TBC.

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