3. More Plans
Severus watched her leave the room, looking as if she was about to pass out. She wasn't fit for this. 6 years had passed since the last time he had the opportunity to observe her properly, but at first glance she seemed to have changed only a little. Behind him, Deke and Greyback were discussing the number of spies they should use to make sure she was going to do as she was told. Severus suddenly turned his face to them, instantly realizing what it was best for him to do.
"People might get suspicious if we all come back in the same compact group. I'll go join the party, I suggest the rest of you do the same at different intervals." He spoke, absently, his mind focusing on what he was about to do.
He made a few steps towards the door, then stood still, remembering one last detail.
"Greyback, when you're done with Deke, wait at the back door of the mansion – it wouldn't be wise to be seen leaving with her."
And with those words, he left, leaving behind a slightly bewildered Deke, a suspicious-looking Lucius and a growling Fenrir; the werewolf hated receiving orders.
Swiftly as a shadow, Severus made his way through the hallways, back to the party, his thoughts racing. He knew her well enough to be certain that she wasn't going to help Death Eaters. He was going to to make sure she didn't get herself killed, though. As he entered the living room, he managed to catch a glimpse of the girl at the top of the stairs and disappearing to the left. Careful not to run into Narcissa or Rebecca and hoping that neither would notice him, he continued his way, up the staircase. He entered the large stone corridor just in time to hear a door being slammed, and hurried his pace.
Strangely, as he came to a halt in front of her bedroom door, he wasn't so convinced that he was doing the right thing anymore. Was she going to do what he expected her to do? Or was she going to simply follow the plan? Then, an idea came to mind.
Severus crouched down, taking a quick look through the keyhole. He saw her taking a seat on a bed, facing the door, and obviously, himself. Excellent. Not wasting a second, he pointed the wand at her, through the keyhole and muttered something. Whatever that word was, it was clearly something powerful, because his mind was now receiving all her thoughts.
Taking one last deep breath, Riana went to sit on the bed. What was she going to do? Leaving in the company of that Fenrir Greyback could very well be her sentence to death. She had been given an important mission, surely she would be harshly punished, should she fail. Maybe even killed. But if she managed to fool that Remus Lupin and make it into the Order, but they would find out she was really a spy? What then? She had never met any members of that Order, she didn't know what kind of people they were. Wouldn't they kill her on the spot, should they find her out? And what if, even worse, she would make it into the Order, and no one found her out? She would pass information to the Dark Lord, for how long? Until the last Order member was dead? And afterwards, what? No more hope for peace. Why should she help the Death Eaters, when that would only ensure chaos and desperation for the world, herself included.
Riana shuddered at the thought. No, she had to find another way. Maybe, once she would get into the Order, she would manage to stay with them, to fight against He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named. She shook her head. No, that wouldn't work. She would lie to enter the group in the first place, why would they trust her later? But then, what if she told them the truth? Her eyebrows raised slightly. That seemed like a better idea. She would tell that Lupin the real reason she was there, and ask him to get her in the Order for real.
A sudden knock on the door made Riana jump from the bed. The door opened before she could say a thing and in the doorway stood the dark figure of Severus Snape. Unable to control herself, she blushed. She knew Snape was an exceptional Legilimens, her father had pointed that out every time she and her brother were to come face to face with him. Could he have read her thoughts?
"What are you doing here?" She snapped, trying to blame his intrusion for the crimson color of her cheeks.
Severus only frowned, slamming the door behind him, and took two more steps inside her room.
"I want to have a serious word with you." He spoke coldly, firmly.
She froze. He knew? Already? Trying to get a grip on herself, she decided she would deny everything. It might have been childish, but it was the only hope that she wouldn't have to face her father's wrath.
"If there was more to it, how come you didn't mention it earlier?" She replied, trying her best to control her voice, so it wouldn't betray the fear she felt.
"Because it's not something for them to hear, Riana!" He snapped, as if she was supposed to know that. "Unfortunately, there is very little time and I have too much to explain." He continued on a lower voice, and threw a quick look at the door behind himself, as if he expected someone to barge in at any moment.
She was startled by the intimate way in which he had spoken to her. She had always been 'miss Craide' before him, and she couldn't understand why the sudden change. A part of her mind was rushing back to her old schoolgirl fantasies, but she violently brought herself back to reality. That was the worst possible time for remembering daydreams.
"I'm listening." Her tone was less aggressive now.
"I have to warn you – don't be foolish. Greyback will have many werewolves watching you, making sure you do what you are supposed to. Stick to the plan, at least until you are accepted in the Order." He was serious, but not angry.
Riana didn't know what to believe anymore. Obviously, he knew what she had intended to do, but he seemed to be advising her on how to do it better. She frowned. If she didn't know any better, she would say he was actually on the Order's side… But he couldn't… Not after he killed Dumbledore. Seeing the confused look on her face, Severus continued.
"If you are sincere about your intentions, then you will have to trust me, and do as I say."
He was broken off by Riana, who didn't try to hide her emotions anymore.
"How? How can I trust you, after you killed the Order's last hope to succeed?" She was panting slightly and had grown even redder in the face.
The blow wasn't too pleasant to Severus. He moved his eyes away from her. Of course, he had seen something like that coming.
"He was already dying.." He muttered, then he returned his gaze to her face. "I had made an Unbreakable Vow to Narcissa Black that, should Draco fail, I would finish the job for him. If I hadn't, I would have died as well as Albus."
"Why did you make the vow?" she asked simply.
"Because otherwise I would have been suspected of treason!" He hissed back. "What use could I be to the Order, then? I had to keep my position as spy!"
It took a few moments for Riana to realize exactly what he was saying. So he really was on the Order's side. She could almost kiss him, but she thought better of it. As quickly as if someone had flipped a page in a book, she had calmed down and a serene expression had surfaced on her face.
"What should I do, then?" she asked, smiling slightly.
Severus was taken by surprise by her sudden change of attitude. He had expected to meet more resistance. But he had no time to wonder about that.
"You have to stick to the plan. There will be many eyes watching you on the way, more than you would expect. Deke himself has recommended this, so you must play your part perfectly. Once you are in the Order, tell them you real name, and your mission… They will probably ask of you what they once had of me: to become a spy for them. Whether you accept or not, it's up to you. In the meantime, check back with me as often as you can, even after you will have become a member. I will need you to be honest in your reports, so I can see what it is best to tell the Dark Lord."
Riana had simply nodded throughout his speech. She smiled as he finished.
"And, perhaps, if they trust me enough, I could try to clear your name?"
He turned a rather surprised look, one eyebrow risen. That was exactly what he was about to suggest. Interpreting correctly the question in his eyes, she replied cheerfully.
"That was logic, not legilimancy."
Severus' thoughts raced uncontrollably to a certain 7th year Gryffindor. He finally remembered who had Hermione Granger reminded him of. Riana Craide had been one of the brightest students of her generation, just like Hermione was. Unfortunately, she had also been too much of a troublemaker to become Head Girl or at least a Ravenclaw Prefect. Though, like Hermione, she had been one of his best students.
"It's late." He suddenly said, remembering the time. "Get dressed, Grayback is waiting for you at the back door."
He was about to open the door, when her question made him stop.
"Specularis, right? Is it safe?"
"Yes. It was created especially so you could communicate with me. Make sure you're alone before using it."
And with those words, he left the room and closed the door behind him.
Riana knew she was supposed to hurry, but there were too many thoughts flying around her mind. She wished he had stayed a little longer, so she could ask him what Lupin was like. She was nervous. It had never been hard for her to act, but that when she knew who she was supposed to fool. Well, I simply have to manage. She thought shrugging, making her way to her closet, searching for something Greyback's prisoner would wear.
