Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter. That is owned by J.K. Rowling.
Chapter Two - Everybody's Fool
Hermione slammed her office door in frustration. The day's training had not started off well. First of all only sixty percent of those chosen had actually shown up. Hermione had sent a massive Howler to all those who had not come. It reminded them of how important this training was and that if they missed tomorrow's training they would be removed from the chosen and she would find someone else to take their place.
Hermione stopped dead when she saw that someone was sitting in front of her desk. The chair they were in had a high back so she couldn't see anything but one long, slender arm resting on the armrest.
Hermione walked around to sit at her desk and when she looked up at her guest she screamed. The door to her office was thrown open and her security guards came running in. The four guards as well as Hermione took out their wands and pointed them at the intruder.
"How did you get here?" Hermione demanded furiously.
Severus folded his hands calmly. "I was recruited."
Hermione had sent out two recruiters who had already been trained several months ago to start finding people to join their cause. But for them to chose this man - she highly doubted it.
"I don't think so. You are a well known Death Eater and you murdered Dumbledore. None of my people would dare to even speak to you let alone bring you here. Did you find one of them and torture them? Is that how you got in here?" Hermione questioned as she began to fumble in her desk drawer for a bottle of Veritaserum.
Severus smiled grimly. "There's no need for that. All you need to do is bring in your female recruiter - I believe her name was Amanda Evans - and she can prove to you that she did indeed recruit me."
Hermione had Amanda brought in but she also put a few drops of the serum into a cup of tea and handed it to Severus. "Drink this while I ask Amanda a few questions."
Severus drank the tea and watched the proceedings with amusement.
"Did you recruit Severus Snape?" Hermione asked the young woman. Amanda nodded. "I did, Miss Granger. I know who he is but he seemed so open to the idea - I read his thoughts and everything."
Hermione's eyes widened. "Ah hah! Now I know you're up to something Snape. There is no way someone like Amanda, who just learned Occlumency, could possibly read your mind when you are a master of both Occlumens and Legilimens. You must be here to spy!"
Severus didn't reply. His eyes were slightly glazed as the serum had taken affect.
"We will find out once and for all then!" Hermione exclaimed. "Severus, are you here to spy on the Order?"
"No."
"Did you trick Amanda into bringing you here?"
"No."
"Are you here to kill us?"
"No."
"Do you truly want to join the Order?"
"Yes."
"Did you murder Dumbledore?"
"Yes."
"Are you sorry about it?"
"Yes."
Hermione pursed her lips and stared at him. He had to be telling the truth, didn't he? He had taken the serum after all and one could not lie with the serum in their system.
After a few moments of observation Hermione finally sighed. "All right, you must be telling the truth. You may join the Order. In fact, I have an assignment for you. Are you ready?"
Severus nodded. "Always."
"Okay then. You are to go to the surface, and bring back as many children as you can. I don't care how you get them as long as you don't kill anyone. Understood?"
Severus nodded again. "I understand. When do you want me to leave?"
"Tomorrow morning," Hermione said and then stood. She motioned for everyone to leave, except Severus. She knew the serum would wear off soon, and she wanted to ask a few more questions before that happened. Once the room was empty, save for her and Severus, she sat down and met his gaze.
"Did you kill Harry Potter?"
"No."
"Did you kill Ronald Weasley?"
"No."
"Did you kill Arthur Weasley?"
"Yes."
"Why?"
"I was under the Dark Lord's orders."
"Until now, have you truly been faithful to Voldemort?"
"Yes."
"So you were always on his side, even while you were part of the Order of the Phoenix?"
"Yes."
"And you were ordered to kill Dumbledore?"
"No. Draco was ordered to do that but could not perform his task so I did it for him."
"Where is Draco?"
"With the Dark Lord. He is a high ranking Death Eater now."
"And Lucius?"
"The same."
Hermione saw that she had only two or three more questions before the serum would be gone so she chose carefully.
"Did the Dark Lord order you to infiltrate the Order?"
"No."
"How, then, did you know of us?"
"You are talked about in certain circles. I listened."
The serum faded and Severus sat up straighter. "I don't wish to answer anymore questions right now. May I go?"
Hermione nodded. "Yes, you may go. I will take you to your apartment."
Hermione walked out of the room with Severus close behind her. They walked down several dimly lit hallways until they finally reached a wooden door with the number "sixty-six."
"This is your apartment. I expect to see you in my office tomorrow morning at eight A.M. Good evening." Hermione turned and hurried back the way she had come.
Severus entered his room and once the door was closed and locked he smiled to himself.
That went rather well, he thought. She knew about my mastering of Occlumency and Legilimency but I guess she forgot that I have mastered my own mind and can lie through Veritaserum. Silly girl. She should have listened closer in my class. I'm still surprised though that the Order's leader is this bushy haired Mudblood. Though I suppose I shouldn't be as she was part of the golden trio and is now the only one left of that horrid group. The Dark Lord will be pleased to know their leader is weak and easy to manipulate. It shouldn't be too hard to kill her.
Severus looked around his apartment. It was very basic but would suit his needs. First though he would redecorate a bit.
Severus took out his wand and turned the walls, floors and ceiling black. He turned the basic wall candles into silver candelabra's with green candles. He transfigured his plain off-white couch into black leather with green pillows and did the same to the armchair. His bathroom was redone in forest green and silver. His bedroom was black, green and silver.
When his work was complete, Severus stepped back and smiled. He was pleased.
A/N: That's it for now. Let me know what you thought by reading and reviewing! I'll get the third chapter out ASAP!
Special Thanks to my Beta Reader: Danielle