Chapter 5 – Spinner's End
"Sissy! We shouldn't do this! We cannot trust him!" Bellatrix hissed at her sister, Narcissa. They stalked through a row of homes on Spinner's End, hiding their faces behind their cloaks and making their way to the door at the end of the alley.
"We have to try," Narcissa spat back at her. Bellatrix's face hadn't healed completely from Lizzie's assault at the Ministry and it made her look impossibly more menacing.
Severus opened the door slowly upon hearing their knock and let them in with some hesitation.
"What do I owe the pleasure, Narcissa?" He asked as evenly as possible after offering them a drink.
"I shouldn't be here, the Dark Lord has forbidden us to speak of this," she said breathlessly.
"Then you shouldn't speak, Narcissa, you know better," he said contemptuously. Narcissa fidgeted awkwardly losing her words entirely.
"He's right, not to mention he is untrustworthy slime," Bellatrix hissed. She looked down at a small picture on a low bookshelf and picked it up curiously.
"Put it down, Bella," he said reproachfully, but she continued to stare. It was a little girl who looked remarkably like Lizzie.
"Why do you have a picture of the Potter girl on your shelf, Severus?" She asked with raised eyebrows.
"Don't be ridiculous, Bella, that's the last photo I'd ever carry. That was a family photo," he answered indignantly, narrowing his eyes at her but she didn't believe him.
"Your sister doubts me," Snape said, looking at Narcissa. "I must have played my part well. When there is enough doubt from either side of the line, that only serves to strengthen my position in each. So long of course that those in charge remain wholeheartedly convinced," he explained.
"Fooling them both then I take it?" Bellatrix sneered.
"I have misguided one of the greatest wizards of all time, Bella... scoff if you want, Dumbledore is a great wizard and only a fool would question it," he insisted.
"I don't doubt you, Severus," Narcissa said.
"I want to know why you didn't return to the graveyard with the others then? Why did you evade prison? Why didn't you look for him like we had? Why when dear sweet Azalea Potter is in your literal grasp - all the time - for six years, have you not killed her?" Bellatrix berated.
"I have explained all of this to the Dark Lord himself and he is satisfied with my reasons. I do not owe you an explanation. I evaded prison by convincing Dumbledore I was his side. I returned later in the evening to not spark suspicion. If I left when summoned, my hold with Dumbledore would have been irreparably compromised, and you would not have a spy in the Order," Snape explained.
"As for Azalea, surely you do not expect the moment she steps foot in Hogwarts that she would be murdered with no indication of the whereabouts of our master. Our world would have been outraged. I encouraged her participation in the tournament assuming the dark lord may be behind it. I infiltrated and dismantled her mind to make her easier for the Dark Lord to control. I informed him of her condition and potential as a weapon. If he had confided in me about his plans I could have offered more insight and she would not have escaped. I groomed my relationship with her carefully. She walks a tight rope between trusting me and hating me. Enough to confuse an otherwise remarkably headstrong and formidable young witch. Her powers are remarkable. Confidence is her asset, but confusion will be her downfall," he explained.
"You care about her," Bellatrix laughed.
"Dumbledore cares about her, anyone in the Order would die for her. You thinking I care for her only proves to me that I have played my part remarkably well," he sneered back at her.
"Narcissa, as to your situation, I am already aware," he stated curtly, and her eyes widened.
"He told you?" Bellatrix scoffed indignantly.
"I cannot change his mind on the matter, but there may be a way I can help Draco," he reassured.
"Swear to it then," Bellatrix insisted. "Make an Unbreakable Vow, or are you too apprehensive for that? Does it cross your fine line?" She hissed. There was a long pause filled with contemplation.
"Take out your wand, Bellatrix," he said coldly and she stared back at him in shock.
Gripping arms with Narcissa, they sealed an Unbreakable Vow for Snape to assist Draco Malfoy in his task. The sisters left silently and Snape sat in the drawing room deep in thought, a haunting and familiar voice running through his mind like a broken record.
"He will spare you if you give him what he wants…"
"I know what he wants and that's not even a question…"
"Please, if the situation presents itself..."
"You expect me to do the unthinkable? You know no love, Severus, how could you even consider?"
"I do know love…"
"I don't believe that for a moment…"
"How can I possibly prove that to you?"
"Help me protect what I love most, I can't live with the alternative…"
"How can I?"
"Swear to it."
"I can't swear to it, I can't even be sure I'll be able to, all I know is he will spare YOU if - "
"Do not finish that sentence. Swear to it or don't. I expect nothing less either way. I will never forgive you if something happens to her." Snape sat with his face in his hands. Dying wishes are a fickle thing, he thought in shame.