Ch. 3 – Voldemort's Demand

Snape had found it increasingly difficult to pay attention during their fencing match. Damn it Severus, she's your apprentice, he admonished himself. He had never been happier when Ginny's acceptance letter had come, and he hated to admit it, but he looked forward to working with her. He was letting her get close, and that could be dangerous to both of them with his current position as a spy.

He entered his room, stripped off his fencing gear and padded barefoot to the bathtub in his private bathroom. He mumbled a spell and the tub filled with water just the way he liked it – nearly scalding hot. He stepped into the water, exhaling a hiss at the slight pain as his skin turned pink.

He closed his eyes and relaxed in the water, sliding down into it until his chin lingered just above the edge of the water. He closed his eyes and began replaying the fencing bout. Ah, Ginny, he thought, surprising himself with the use of her given name, you are poisonous. I hope I have the antidote in my stores. He resolved in that instant to get no closer to the girl. He would push her away, as much as possible.

But he knew it was too late. Severus Snape was vulnerable to attack for the first time in years.

Ginny moaned and deepened the kiss. She didn't quite remember how it had happened, but she was in Severus Snape's arms and he was kissing her passionately. This can't be real, her brain screamed. Seconds ago she had been falling from a cliff, but he had been there to catch her… and kiss her.

He hadn't said anything, just kissed her. She opened her eyes and stared in horror – Severus Snape had turned into Tom Riddle. The kiss was no longer passionate; it was the Kiss of Death. Tom Riddle, Lord Voldemort, was really a Dementor, and he was sucking the life out of her.

Wake up, Ginerva. You are only dreaming. Damn it, Ginny, wake up. Wake up! "Wake up!" she screamed out loud and sat up in bed. She was drenched in sweat, her heart was pounding. "Only a dream, a dream," she whispered.

There would be no more sleep. She glanced at the clock on her wall – 6 AM. Just as well. She got up, dressed, and made her way to the Great Hall for breakfast. She had a simple meal of hot cereal sweetened with sugar and a cup of tea. She entered the store room fifteen minutes early, surprised to find Snape already there.

"You're early," he said simply. "Ms. Weasley, a good portion of your job will be to keep these stores stocked at all times. This means you will be in charge of gathering the ingredients that can be found on the grounds at the appropriate times. Anything not available readily on the grounds you will order. This is my master log," he said tapping a large tome, "Anything used from the store is logged here. We are going to begin with organizing the store room and familiarizing you with everything here. I hope you came prepared to take notes."

Ginny nodded. The organization of the store room was almost immaculate, because Snape was obsessive compulsive; there were only one or twp components out of place. The most difficult part of the task for Ginny was attempting to absorb all of the information; true, she was familiar with most of the store room, but she was now expected to know the basic properties of the ingredients, how to identify them in the wild, proper collection, preservation, and storage, and further which ones were readily available on Hogwart's grounds.

After two hours of scribbling furiously, Ginny felt as if her brain were going to explode. "Professor, how can you possibly remember all of this?"

"Years of use. The key to being a good Potions Master or Mistress is not trying to remember everything, but keeping good notes, being organized, and knowing where to find the information you seek. Eventually, the information you use most often will come like second nature. We'll break for lunch now, Ms. Weasley." She turned to leave. "Ah, Ms. Weasley, Dumbledore wished to see you today."

Snape had give Ginny the day off. She had been working non-stop for him for nearly a month. She was progressing quickly, and at this rate she would be a Potions Mistress in two years – almost half the time it normally took – but she was pushing herself too hard. Between her work with him, her daily meetings with Dumbledore, and the nightmares, the poor girl was getting no sleep. She was pale, tired, and had begun making careless mistakes – in fact, she hadn't looked worse in her first year when she was possessed.

Speaking of those meeting with Dumbledore, just what was their purpose anyway? Snape had spoken to both of them to no avail; Ginny had told him flatly to mind his own business and Dumbledore replied mysteriously that all would be revealed with time. Snape hated when Dumbledore said that.

It wasn't for Ginny's benefit alone that she had been given the day off. Snape was meeting with a group of Death Eaters and Voldemort was supposed to attend. He needed the day to prepare himself – particularly to clear his minds of thought of Ginny. The Order of the Phoenix had long ago decided that her apprenticeship should stay secret as long as possible, because there was no need to call attention to her.

Snape scowled as he arrived at their designated meeting place – Room 2B, Eye of Newt Tavern, Knockturn Alley. Could these idiots be more conspicuous? The room was practically empty – only Voldemort and Lucius Malfoy awaited him. A year ago Voldemort had gotten his hands on a copy of the Egyptian Book of the Dead and succeeded in taking corporeal form in a totally human body, but that did make him any less revolting.

"Now that we've all arrived," Lucius stated curtly. Snape's skin prickled. All? That could only mean one of two things: they were going to kill him or ask him to kill. The room was painfully quiet for a few seconds. "How are things going with your apprentice?" Lucius said with a malicious smile on his face.

"Specifically," continued Voldemort, "I would like to know why you did not tell me that you had taken an apprentice."

Snape's mouth went dry, but his face remained passive and emotionless. "I did not think the fact that I took an apprentice was worth your note, my Lord."

"Of course it is worth my note… particularly when that apprentice is Ginny Weasley!"

"Yes, my Lord, I should have told you. I realize that now…"

"I want you to bring her to me."

Severus's heart was pounding. How could someone in the Order have let this slip? It put him and Ginny in danger. Who could be such an idiot? He had two guesses, either Ron Weasley or Harry Potter. "Not with force my Lord?"

"Not with force! Imbecile! She served me once before and she shall do so again. You will convince her to come to me and become a Death Eater, and I want it done before next term at Hogwarts begins."

"That only gives me a month!"

"I will have her in a month, Severus, or I will have your life!"

A/N: What do you think about that twist? Too drastic? Thanks to all of my reviewers.

Vitugglan – Thanks for the suggestion. I used your suggestion and the fencing scene flows better. I will post the new version after the new chapter is up.

billiejoe – Thanks for catching that I was using Mrs. instead of Ms. This is what I get for editing late at night. I've already changed it throughout Chapter 2.

Also, I fixed a few typos and grammar errors throughout Chapter 1 and Chapter 2 (Since when was Hogwarts possessive?). The new versions should be up shortly.

I would love to hear your suggestions, so if you've read, please review!