Chapter Three

"Welcome, my captured birds!" Voldemort smirked from his seat at the Head Table. He and most of his loyal followers were entrenched in their victory. So entrenched none noticed a select few slipping the captives their wands, complete with well chosen whispered words. "Follow him. He'll keep you alive." The captured Order members were confused by the words.

At least until Peter Pettigrew led a very familiar wizard through a side door, "Ah, my pet. So delightful you could joinus."

Gasps fell from the captives. Severus Snape had been branded a traitor when he suddenly vanished. And now they knew the truth. Severus Snape was an abused prisoner. "Yes, yes. My pet traitor has paid his dues and now so shall you. Bella, my dear?"

Remus gave a low growl as the insane Azkaban escapee skipped forward, giggles falling from her cracked lips. She had taken his mate away. The same day of Severus' disappearance. And Bellatrix Lestrange laughed madly, "Oh, wolfie! Such big teeth you have. Such big eyes as well. Be seeing the blood traitor soon."

"Open the way, Bella!"

The crazed woman flinched at the harsh words, "Yes, my Lord." She raised her wand in elaborate patterns, voice echoing with ancient words, "Reveal yourself to the Master!"

Swirling shadows zoomed from every corner, forming a doorway of utter darkness. "Allow me to explain." Voldemort stepped down from the table, widely smirking. "This is the Shadowian Lands. Your final resting place. For enemies and traitors."

With those words the Death Eaters struck. Their combined powers shoved the captives through the doorway without a fighting chance. "Goodbye, my pet." He had run out of the Imperio potion as well as an experimental drug potion Severus had called Haze. And both were wearing off quickly, if the constant sweating and trembling meant anything. But his pet would meet the same fate as he shoved him through the doorway.

---------------------------------Shadowian Lands--------------------------------

"Where are we?"

A croakingvoice answered, "His world now." Severus' natural defenses were finally kicking in. His potions were slowly clearing from his mind, allowing the familiar figure closer into his mind. Confused memories jumbled together. Only one fact stood out. Nightmare Rock was safe. They had to reach it. He just might be able to buy them time if they were caught, if they don't reach the Rock in time.

"Must move. Now."

"I am not following him!"

"Ronald!"

The tall lanky redhead glared at the slowly moving professor before facing an irate Hermione, "He had betrayed us!"

"In case you've forgot, he's our only hope. Remember. 'He'll keep you alive.' Snape obviously knows this place."

"But..."

"No! You can stay. I'm following." Ron was not about to stumble blindly in the dark. Not when strange sounds could be heard. He was going to follow the knowledgable witch, just like the others.

"Severus?" Albus held his wand light before the stumbling man;despite his age he could keep up quite well. Blue eyes watched closely, saddened by the visible marks and scars.

"Forward. He's coming."

------------------------------Nightmare Rock-------------------------------

"What have you found?"

"Plenty. Your Dragons are faithful. But they fear someone has incriminated them. It seemed they caught wind of your wayward child owning a valuable pet. They said the rat saw markings but couldn't prove it."

Yellowish green eyes, eyes of feline predators, flared with power and anger, "A valuable pet? Stay hidden. Find the name. If it was him, they'll all pay dearly."

A cloaked head bowed deeply, "I believe he has failed to heed Mistress Morgana's code."

"Yes, my Faithful One. I believe he has."

"I shall not fail. But I also believe the border has beenbreached, though no alarms?"

Anger flared hotter, sparking through the darkness, allowing brighter shadows to dance. "Go. I shall deal with the alarms."

------------------------------------Shadowian Lands------------------------------------

"He? Who, Severus?"

Dark eyes squinted as the pale greasy-haired professorstruggled to remember, "My...safety."

Those two words surprised them all. "Your safety?"

"Yes. He rules these lands."

"Severus?"

"I'm fine, Albus. Foward." Severus refused to say more. Instead he reached for the link. Who are you? Why do I know you?

I am yours. You are mine.

------------------------------------Nightmare Rock--------------------------------

"Where are they?"

"Coming our way, Sir."

"Send out the Furies. And greet them. It is time you've begun you beganpatrols. Set the demons back to work, harder. They've begun slacking."

"Yes, Sir!" Seven skeletal, armed guards rattled as they raced to do as their Lord bid.

The shadows parted as filtered reddish light flowed forward. "It's been dark long enough."

Predatory eyes gazed at the boundaries of his land, watching from the high windows. Calmly, he reached out to his uninvited guest, sensing the questions. Yes, mine. You are Marked.

He sensed the growing presence enlarging the mental link. His mate was reaching for him, wanting him. Time to greet my mate. Yes, it was time. His guards should have arrived. "I will get my answers. From you, Riddle. And you, my mate.