Snape ran back and forth, checking the details for the last time: The dark velvet tapestries that were hung on all four walls of the room that normally served as a dining/feasting room to Voldemort and his Death Eaters, were perfect. The one opposite of the door bore the words "Evil Birthday!". The Death Eaters were all wearing their best robes and had all washed their hair today, just for this much dreaded occasion: Voldemort's birthday.
He and Lucius had been planning this surprise for several weeks now and he desperately hoped that the Dark Lord would be pleased.
"Am I late?" asked an out-of-breath Lucius who had just run into the room.
"No, but almost," Severus replied. "Brush your hair and then get to your place." He waved to the group of already assembled Death Eaters who were standing directly across the door through which Voldemort would enter. Lucius hastily rearranged his hair and took his place at the piano on the left side of the little group.
"He's coming!" called an exited Crabbe from the door and quickly ran back to his place in the last row (he really wasn't that good a singer). There was a bit of shuffling as everyone tried to straighten their robes, brush back their hair and adjust their position.
Footsteps echoed across the room as Voldemort approached the big double doors. With a lightly creaking sound he swung them both open.
Severus gave the waiting Death Eaters a sign and they all started to sing (more or less good):
I will follow Him
Follow Him wherever He may go,
And near Him, I always will be
For nothing can keep me away,
He is my destiny.
The Dark Lord had stopped in his tracks as the singing had begun. Amazed he stared at the spectacle before him.
I will follow Him
Ever since He touched my heart I knew,
There isn't an ocean too deep,
A mountain so high it can keep,
Keep me away, away from His side.
There were tears in Voldemort's eyes as he slowly took a few steps forward. Suddenly Lucius started to hit the keys on the piano and everyone sang faster.
I love Him, I love Him, I love Him,
And where He goes,
I'll follow, I'll follow, I'll follow.
Snape took a step forward and continued on his own:
I will follow Him
Follow Him wherever He may go,
There isn't an ocean too deep,
A mountain so high it can keep,
Keep me away
Then Severus took a step back again and joined the choir once more: (A/N: the lyrics in () are sung by the last row, Crabbe, Goyle, Avery and Macnair)
We will follow Him (follow Him)
Follow Him wherever He may go,
There isn't an ocean too deep (too deep)
A mountain so high it can keep,
Keep us away, away from His side…
"Oh yeah!" Severus called out and began to dance in front of the other Death Eaters. (A/N: the lyrics in () are now sung by everyone except Severus, the rest is sung by Snape alone)
(I love Him)
Oh yes I love Him
(I'll follow)
I'm gonna follow
(True love)
He'll always be my true , true love
(Forever)
From now until forever
(I love Him, I love Him, I love Him)
And where He goes, I'll follow
(I'll follow, I'll follow, I'll follow)
He'll always be my true love,
(My true love, my true love)
From now until forever,
(Forever, forever…)
Snape once more stepped back between the others and the sung all together again:
There isn't an ocean too deep
A mountain so high it can keep
Keep me away, away from His side!
With a long, loud and quite high (and almost right) note the Death Eaters concluded their song. Voldemort hadn't moved again, throughout the whole performance. Now he was just staring at the, with tears in their eyes. Nobody moved or said anything, everyone waited for his reaction.
"Oh, this, this was wonderful," the Dark Lord finally said while trying to hold back tears. "This is the best birthday I've had in ages!"