A/N: I've forgotten to add to the previous chapter that the words Severus says to Voldemort "Farewell hope, and with hope farewell fear" are from John Milton's Paradise Lost. And now the next chapter is here…

Chapter Ten

A rare hard breeze held that morning gripped in cold and Severus shivered in the coldness enveloping him, penetrating his still weakened, fragile body, stabbing right into his heart. Something was going to happen, no doubt that something bad. He was sitting in a comfortable armchair while Arenwald, the vampire, was fussing around him. Murmuring something about "frail mortals" and "not being strong enough for that", he was now here, making sure that Severus was warm and comfortable, then there, closing the windows against the chilly coldness. Snape wondered what awaited him, but wasn't paying much thinking to it. He had willingly given himself over to Voldemort and wasn't as stupid as not to know that the Dark Lord would use him to his means somehow. But he had no idea of what use he may be to him.

A glass touched his lips and when Severus wanted to take it, he realised that he was bound to the chair. He sent a deadly glare at the vampire; how dare that creature bound him?

"Drink this, professor, you need strength. I assure you that it isn't a poison."

"No," Snape shook his head, refusing to take anything not made by him.

"Severus, my dear child," came a soft voice from the doorway, sounding colder than the air around, "you're no more a free man. You no more have choices. Drink it."

He looked at him, standing at the doorframe, leaning leisurely against it, tall and impressive. "What is it?" asked Snape, holding Voldemort's red gaze.

"A part of your redemption," hissed the Dark Lord and a dagger flashed in his hand. He snatched the glass from Arenwald's hands, ordered Snape to drink most of it, then cut deeply into his wrist and let blood drop into it. Severus didn't move, just watched transfixed how his blood mixed with the potion in the glass. Voldemort flashed a wide smile at him and drank it down, licking his lips as if it had been a delicacy.

§§

The quiet sobbing of Molly Weasley couldn't be heard upstairs in the luxurious living room of the Black House, but both Harry and Ron felt the depressing mood keenly. Ron sat curled in a sofa, with the strangest expression of loss and grief on his normally cheerful face. He hadn't said a word; he didn't trust his voice. Sometimes he wished he had been a girl to be able to openly show his grief and cry. That he couldn't, he knew. He was almost a man and he had to be strong for Ginny like his father was strong for mom. How was it possible that they no longer had a place called home? He had had his suspicions about Snape, but… Did that man hate them so much? Why?

"Ron, we need to find a way to get out of here with the Order," Harry interrupted his thoughts, "Dumbledore wants to – as he says – rescue Snape. We need to join them, Ron, we have to!"

Harry's tone was urgent as he was pacing the floor, clenching his fists in his fury. His emerald eyes were blazing rather spectacularly, making him look strong and powerful. Ron didn't say anything, but went on listening to him.

"I want him in Azkaban, rotting away with Dementors! How could he fail Dumbledore's trust? Ron, I'll get him. I'll kill him."

At that Ron's head jerked up to look at his friend. "You won't kill him, Harry."

"Why?" asked Harry as he spun around to face Ron. "I have no mercy for him."

"You're just angry, that's all. Don't worry, this time it will be a life sentence for him. And you don't want to know what Dementors are allowed to do to the Lifers. There're still enough Dementors in Azkaban, they'll drive him mad."

They'll drive him mad. Harry frowned, musing about which fate was worse and what Dumbledore was doing. Surely he didn't expect Lucius Malfoy to help them. That man had no heart; he couldn't imagine him helping anyone (including Snape) against his Lord. When he saw Ron hugging his knees to his chest, a shiver run down his spine. What was worse? A death for the traitor or madness in Azkaban?

§§

"He must be in Lestrange Castle," spoke Lucius in an uncharacteristically soft voice; "it's heavily guarded and well protected. Only the Dark Lord and his Death Eaters can get there, wards are truly strong. If you want to get inside, you need to enter it with someone wearing the Dark Mark. Close family members are allowed inside too."

"How close family members?" asked Dumbledore. What Lucius was telling him didn't sound optimistic. Severus had been their only Death Eater spy and of the three Lestranges none was on their side.

"The closest – parents, children, brothers and sisters, wives and husbands," replied Lucius.

But was he telling the truth? He had seemed truly hurt by Severus's double role, by his betrayal. He peered closely into the grey eyes from under his half-moon glasses. The Death Eater smiled. "See for yourself, I don't lie."

Using Legillimency, Dumbledore entered Malfoy's unresisting mind.

He saw a small, blond-haired boy riding a pony and laughing. No, not that, that was a past too distanced for now. Dumbledore searched further. A familiar pale face looked at him.

"I'll stay here, Lucius. Father is in prison." His face was bruised and sad.

"But that is great, Sev, he won't ever hurt you again!"

Not that… He searched for more recent memories, but those Lucius guarded better. Again he saw Severus, sitting in an armchair and holding a baby boy, a little bit awkwardly. He gave a weak smile, obviously unsure of how to hold a baby. "Lu, he's lovely, but…"

Through the memories a voice spoke to him, 'I'm not lying, please! I don't want him dead, Dumbledore, he's like my brother, my twin, my only cousin!'

"Please," whispered Lucius. "He'll kill Severus! I feel something… something bad is happening, Severus isn't well! You MUST stop him, Dumbledore. You've got him into this mess, you must go and help him now!"

Dumbledore took Malfoy's icy hands into his. "I will, Lucius, I'll do everything to save him."

§§

Severus gasped as a shock of pain shot through his veins. The Dark Lord's hands were on his, his forehead resting against his forehead, red eyes blazing and lips whispering foreign incantations:

tvoye telo k mouymu…

He closed his eyes tightly, concentrating on his breathing so that he wouldn't cry out. His body was on fire as if the Dark Lord had burnt it away, he no longer had it.

tvoya dusha k moyey…

A scream broke from Snape's lips, the pain was excruciating. His heart was ripped open and shattered, bleeding into his chest; he no longer had a soul.

tvuoy zhivot ye muoy…

He shuddered as his veins exploded in pain and he cried out, feeling hot tears flowing down his cheeks and with them his life flowing away. His life was no longer his.

ti si muoy

His eyes closed and when the bounds around his wrists disappeared, he collapsed limply into Voldemort's arms. "You're mine, say it," he spoke and Severus repeated, "I'm yours."

At that moment he could feel the pain passing away as if the Dark Lord's body had the power to heal it. It felt… incredibly good and Severus snuggled closer to him. This closeness, it was… something he hadn't felt before, amazing and horrible as it began to dawn on him, clenching his chest in horror.

"What have you done to me?" he asked though he knew now.

"Your loyalty had already failed once, Severus. I don't want that to be repeated. You have to understand that I had no choice in this, I can't see you fail again. You're bonded to me now; I'll always know where you are. You understand, don't you?"

Severus nodded mutely and over Voldemort's shoulder he looked at the vampire standing in shadows. He had a peculiar expression in his face, something of deep sorrow and shock. The Dark Lord stood up, pulling Severus to his feet too.

"I want you to continue in your research. In this library you'll find any book you need and Arenwald is at your service too. If you're hungry, just ring a bell for a house elf."

With a reassuring smile Voldemort walked over to the door and before leaving, he added, "I even have a suitable 'experimental rabbit' for you, dear child."

The door closed and Snape searched out Arenwald's eyes. "You play a dangerous game, professor," the vampire shook his head, "And you're losing."

"So I am," snapped Snape, contempt curling his lips into a sneer and he strolled over to have a look at the books. "And it's none of your business, filthy creature! Oh, but these books are treasures!"

Arenwald smiled at the man's suddenly changed tone. "Look, look at these!" Snape took an ancient book from a shelf; "This is… bloody hell! I thought that there's not a piece left of these books."

"And are they worthy enough of what you've given to the Dark Lord?"

Snape froze, holding the open book in his hand. "It doesn't matter anymore, vampire," he sighed, "What do you know about human feelings and our time? You're just an observer, so be so kind, shut up and let me work."

"As you wish, professor," bowed Arenwald slightly, and took a seat in a nearby chair.

TBC…

§§

Author's note: The incantation Voldemort used to bond Severus to him is actually in Slovak language (my language), but written in a different spelling. I didn't feel like creating some new language or using some other, this one should sound foreign enough to you (well, most of you, Darkinfinity1 will understand it).Big thanks for everyone reviewing, thank you very much. .