Chapter Fourteen

When Remus woke up, it was to a sound of someone screaming in pain. He tried to crack an eyelid and winced, his head pounding. He licked his lips and wanted to lift his head, but gasped at the agony caused by motion. Had they drugged him? Someone somewhere in the building didn't stop screaming, but the fog in Remus's head prevented him from identifying who it was. He couldn't make out any words either and where was he anyway? He closed his eyes, wishing that whoever it was screaming would stop; he was developing a bear of a headache. A hand came under his head, lifting it carefully and a glass of water was put to his lips. He swallowed the cool liquid thankfully and opened his eyes to meet those of his former friend – Peter Pettigrew.

Not believing his eyes, he whispered, "Peter?" and reached out a hand to touch him, but the animagus withdrew quickly, cringing. Lupin frowned.

"Where am I?"

"That doesn't have to trouble you, dear Moony. I believe that you're to be disposed off quickly by the Dark Lord."

The werewolf edged himself into more of a sitting position, with his back against the cold wall. "And Snape? Where is he? What happened to him? Who is screaming?"

He listened once more to the pained screams. No, they didn't sound like Snape's. Pettigrew smiled at him. "Not Snape, what a pity! It's Malfoy – for not keeping his mouth shut. Snape is as much a cruel bastard as he has always been, no changes there. What else did you expect in your naïveté?"

The sound of heavy steps silenced him. The door to the cell was thrown open and a man was slammed onto the floor not too gently.

"Have fun in here," laughed Peter and left, leaving the prisoners on their own. Lupin paid him no attention; he crawled over to his new cellmate and turned him onto his back. How ironic that someone as evil and arrogant as Lucius Malfoy could look so angelic! With his pale hair spread under his head like a halo, he was a fallen angel cast down from heaven onto the cold stone floor for all his sins. He moaned in pain and curled into a tight ball, shivering. Voldemort didn't deal with his followers who had disappointed him any better than with his enemies.

"Have you seen Severus?" asked Remus, hoping to get some news on the Potions Master.

Lucius shot him a perfectly Snapish glare. "Don't speak of him to me!" he hissed through his clenched teeth, "It's all his fault!"

Sure, Lucius, nothing is ever your fault. Remus closed his eyes, concentrating on his keen werewolf senses. There was a smell of blood in the air, but also another scent – something faint and faded, but still lingering – human and so familiar… Severus had been here. Lupin's quick eyes searched around, seeking more evidence. Pieces of glass, very small and dried blood on them… human blood… traces of food… He picked up one tiny shred of glass and inspected it thoughtfully. "Are you still alive, Severus?"

§§

For a moment Arenwald studied Snape's bandaged hand, then lowered it into his lap carefully. It would have to heal in the Muggle way; the Dark Lord hadn't allowed any magic to be used on him. Not even a potion to ease his pain, nothing, but Snape appeared to be taking it well, he hadn't uttered a word of complaint. He only sat there, apathetic and weary, succumbing to the binding spell. The vampire sighed heavily and began combing the dark hair, massaging cleaning potion into it. They had nothing better to do than wait, so why not do something about Snape's appearance?

When his hair was shining clear and silken, Arenwald chose a finer robe for him – of wine-red colour – and spelled it on him. "See, professor, this colour does wonders to your skin."

He stepped in front of him and frowned, seeing the wizard's face. He hadn't said a word, hadn't moved, but now he turned away to hide tears glistening in the corner of his eyes. The vampire froze.

"Professor, don't… if he sees…" he whispered urgently.

"… he will what, Arenwald?" snapped Voldemort at him, entering the room and heading to Snape who hurried to wipe away the traitorous tears. "Severus is under a lot of pressure, I understand that he feels confused and vulnerable. Is that so, my dear child?"

Severus was staring at him wide-eyed as he sat down next to him and pulled him into an embrace, running his fingers through his silken hair. The younger wizard relaxed visibly, resting his head on Voldemort's shoulder.

"Yes, my lord, forgive me. Is…" he hesitated about asking a question, but continued, "Is Lucius all right? He displeased you, I know, but believe me, although we've always been close friends, he… he didn't know about my betrayal, I swear he's no traitor… he must be hurt by me now and puzzled too…"

"Shhh, don't be afraid. Lucius got his punishment, but I don't wish his death."

"You're merciful, master," mutter Severus into Dark Lord's robes.

"I've got something for you," said Voldemort softly, smiling, "a final test to prove your loyalty. Don't worry, child, you'll enjoy it. And you can test your potion on someone who has a brain."

§§

Remus's feet were barely touching the ground as two powerfully built Death Eaters (Crabbe and Goyle?) were hauling him away from his cell. Not much could be seen in the dark corridor, was there no light in this awful building? Suddenly he noticed a door and without being able to look around, he was thrown into a stone room and the door shut heavily behind him. The only light in the dungeon – it looked like a dungeon – came from two torches illuminating two empty corners; the other two corners were bathed in darkness. Was it supposed to intimidate him? Carefully he sniffed the air for any evil dark creature, but fortunately none was there.

Yet he knew he wasn't alone in the dungeon, there was a human presence, just opposite of him, cloaked by darkness. He squinted into dark, trying to make out the outline of the figure. He saw a low Romanesque arch – three arches actually – and a dark, motionless man seated on a tabernacle in the middle arch. Remus took a deep breath and sniffed again, wanting to smell the man's scent. It hit his nostrils like a good punch with its familiarity. There was a faint scent of camomile, different and foreign to his senses, but underneath it, even without the obligatory unique aroma of potions, was the familiar scent that was Snape.

Once more he squinted into the dark dungeon, forcing his eyes to adapt, and now the outline of tall figure was clear and slowly Snape's white face too emerged from the darkness.

"Remus Lupin," he said, his voice low and silken, laced with ice, but also surprise. Hadn't he expected him? Why was he here, obviously unchained and unrestrained? As if… as if he were one of the Death Eaters… Lupin's blood froze in his veins. Yes, there had to be a price paid for Tarquinius's freedom. The air tingled with dark magic. What was it? Something that only the wolf in him could sense, something unnoticeable to humans and it was coming from Severus, enveloping the Potions Master. Remus frowned; inspecting the now so changed Snape. His hair, his clothes, the expression in his face… what had Voldemort done to him?

"What a surprise from my lord," smiled Snape coldly and Lupin shuddered at hearing him referring to Voldemort as 'my lord'. He raised his hand and crooked a finger to motion him to step forward. Remus took a step towards him and saw how Snape reached for a wand, which lay next to him. His thin fingers curled around its handle gently, slowly caressing the wood with his thumb. Why did he have a wand? All the while the dark eyes were on him, piercing into his mind and they were cold and emotionless. Snape smiled again, lifting a corner of his mouth into a sneer. "I thought that my task would be more difficult," he spoke, arching his fine eyebrow, "but I shouldn't be surprised to see you captured – a Gryffindor, acting first, thinking afterwards."

With that icy smile of his he pointed the wand at Lupin who froze. "Severus… don't… you…" he whispered, astonished, "you don't know what you're doing, Albus…"

"Hates me, I know, I have seen his reaction."

What was he talking about? Remus didn't understand. 'Albus cares for you!' he wanted to shout, but couldn't, he was frozen on spot and staring at Snape who was watching him with a detached interest.

"Go on, Severus," came a hissing voice from a corner. Voldemort! And he hadn't seen him, hadn't even sensed him, did the man have any human scent? As he emerged from the shadow, Remus felt the air vibrate with dark magic. What was it? Not Imperius, though… yes, it held Snape in its power, not as strongly as Imperius, but it was there…

"Show me that you don't care for the Order anymore, curse him!"

Snape rose from the tabernacle unhurriedly and with the slow elegance of a snake, his silken wine-red robes whispering at every slight movement.

"Severus, you don't want to do that…" said Lupin, retreating.

"You have no idea what I want, Lupin," sneered Snape, toying with his wand. Remus thought that the way he played with it reminded him all too much of Voldemort.

"You're not yourself…"

"Crucio!"

The curse interrupted Lupin's sentence, giving him no room for reasoning. He fell onto his knees, crying out in pain. Somewhere as if in distance he heard cold laughter, probably Voldemort's. Fortunately Snape didn't hold him under Cruciatus too long; he lifted the curse and knelt down to him, inspecting him closely. Whatever dark magic was enveloping Severus, it got even stronger after using an Unforgivable, pulling the Potions Master in, taking hold of him. Dark magic was addictive and powerful.

"Severus…" moaned Lupin – more in psychological torment than physical pain, "don't… you… can't you feel it?"

"I don't know what you're babbling about. I suppose that now when you're familiar with Cruciatus, you'll be able to tell me the difference between that and…" he pulled a small vial from his pocket, "this. Much as I loathe to admit it, you do have a brain and intelligence."

A compliment from Snape was never a good thing. Lupin eyed the vial suspiciously when Snape grabbed his head and forced its content down his throat. He gulped, staring wide-eyed into the merciless black eyes and then everything went dark and he screamed as loud as he never had before.

Severus rose to his feet, watching the werewolf trashing on the floor in agony until he didn't lost consciousness. Strong arms embraced him from behind and the Dark Lord laughed into his ear. "I'm afraid he won't tell you the difference so soon. I'm proud of you, Severus. Are you truly and completely loyal to me?"

"Yes."

"You're mine."

"Yes," acknowledged Snape, then dropped down to his knees in front of Voldemort. "Forgive me my betrayal, master. Ask anything you want of me, I'm yours to serve."

He bowed his head in submission, bringing the hem of Dark Lord's robes to his lips, not seeing Voldemort's smirk of satisfaction. At that moment Arenwald ran into the dungeon, looking nervous.

"My lord, there're Aurors all around and possibly Dumbledore too and…"

Voldemort only smiled calmly, caressing Snape's hair. "Very well, calm down. Get Bellatrix and Lucius, he needs to persuade me of his loyalties, those two will command the fight. I…" he looked down at Snape, "have one last thing here to settle with out little traitorous spy."

§§

TBC…

Author's Notes: Hmm, what do you say to it? Snape torturing Lupin, I suppose that Lupin fans are beginning to be quite angry with Snape, don't you? Don't worry, Remus will be all right, he's a strong guy. Oh yes, I promised an up-date sooner, but I'm rather lazy these days and spending a lot of time with my boyfriend and friends. Thank you VERY MUCH for your reviews. :-)