Severus could feel his eyelids growimg heavier with each tick of the watch upon his wrist. Admittedly, he had dozed off once or twice since sitting himself in the armchair after the atrocious dinner he had prepared. It was nearly impossible to stay awake given the events that spanned over the last four days. Now, however, Potter was asleep and there was work to be done.
Rubbing his tired eyes with the heels of his hands, he abandoned his book to the floor and then crossed his legs. He was suddenly wide awake as if the thought of what he was about to do had sent an electric shock through his body, awakening all of his senses. Was it actually worth the risk? He had no idea if he would even be able to gain anything from such a meeting and yet he had to try something.
Glancing towards the beds, he checked again to be sure Potter was fast asleep. The boy hadn't moved in well over two hours; it was safe to say that the sleeping potion he had slipped him had been sufficient if not a little on the strong side. He needed to he sure that he would not wake up and interrupt what he was about to do.
He realized he was stalling but the tight knot of worry had now settled deep into the pit of his stomach; if he didn't act soon he would surely back out. So, gathering up the remainder of his nerves, he closed his eyes and let the walls surrounding his mind fall.
Opening his eyes, he was no longer sitting in his chair but standing in the center of a warm Headmaster's office. A blazing fire lit the room in a beautiful hue of dancing amber, every detail brought out in an almost unrealistic scene. His heart ached for it to be real, but he knew that there was a purpose for choosing such a stage. It was a reminder of everything he had thrown away.
"It is almost like coming home is it not?"
The voice drew Severus's eyes to the desk to his left and ultimately to the man sitting behind it. Those piercing red eyes were fixed upon him in a cold stare that held no sign of amusement. Voldemort was leaning forward, elbows resting on the gleaming surface of the desk and fingers steepled before him.
"It is," Severus agreed softy and crossed his arms behind his back. He turned to face the man as he fought down his rising fear. There's nothing he can do to me here, he thought but it offered little comfort under that menacing glare.
"And to what do I owe the pleasure," Voldemort asked. "I know you did not allow me into your mind without purpose."
"My Lord, I-"
"My Lord?" Voldemort let out a sharp humorless laugh that brought the hairs on the back of Severus's neck to attention. He reclined back in the ornately carved chair and shook his head. "After everything you have done; the betrayal, the lies, you still have the nerve to address me as your lord."
"If you will grant me the opportunity to explain, I think the reason for my decisions will be made clear," Severus answered, bowing his head in submission. His heart was pounding painful now but his composure remained stoic.
"An opportunity for you to spin a few more lies?"
"Everything I have done has been out of loyalty to you, my lord."
"Loyalty," Voldemort hissed. Rising from his seat, he rounded the desk and stood before Severus, fury pulling his snake-like face into a tight grimace. "You stole Potter and are now protecting him! How is that loyalty?"
"I made Dumbledore a promise," said Severus, fighting back the urge to step away. Real or not, the anger radiating from Voldemort's words was terrifying. "An Unbreakable Vow to rescue the boy should he fall into danger."
"We both know that a vow is considered void upon the death of one of the parties."
"In most instances that is the case. However, it would seem that since Potter was already in danger before Albus's death the spell remained binding."
The Dark Lord's eyes narrowed and he shook his head, apparently unconvinced by Severus's explanation. It sounded unlikely but it was the only reason Severus could fathom.
"Then why not bring the boy to me tonight or the night before," Voldemort pressed. "Why not face me instead of continuing to hide?"
"I was afraid you would kill me on sight. This way I was at least guaranteed a moment to explain," Severus continued firmly and then he raised his eyes to the man before him. "I have and will always be loyal to you, my lord. After everything you have granted me, why would I turn my back on that for some boy that I despise?"
Silence fell between them, so thick that it pressed painfully against Severus's eardrums. Even the fire, still burning brightly in the grate, seemed to sense the building tension and had halted it's loud sputtering crackles. And yet, Severus remained steady even under the narrowed scrutinizing gaze now eyeing him.
After what felt like an eternity, the Dark Lord turned and reclaimed his seat behind the desk.
"Then bring me the boy and all will be forgiven," he said spalying his ghostly white hands as if it were a simple request.
"If I might, my lord," began Severus, carefully planning his next words. "I think Potter might prove of some use in flushing out those that still oppose you."
"I have control over both the Ministry and Hogwarts. What do I care of the few that remain obstinate?"
"I have reason to believe there are more than just a few," Severus said, pacing forward until he reached the edge of the desk. "And it only takes a small spark."
The Dark Lord considered this for a moment before nodding. "And what is your proposal?"
"Allow me to convince Potter to go to the Weasley's. The family has deep roots within the Order and if anyone was looking to start a rebellion it would begin there."
"And you think they will just welcome you with open arms," Voldemort asked with a skeptical smirk.
"I have gained Potter's trust," Severus said assuredly. "Twice I have saved his life now. I have no doubt he will vouch for me. However, it may take some time to convince him that it is safe to return there."
"A month," The Dark Lord said. "If no progress has been made in that time I expect the boy to be returned to me immediately."
Severus felt his heart leap but he forced his face to remain impassive. A month he could work with. He could only assume Potter would be hesitant to face the Weasley's, especially after-
"How much does the boy know," Voldemort asked suddenly, interrupting Severus's thoughts. He met those narrowed eyes and frowned.
"Know about wha-"
"You know exactly what I speak of," he spat impatiently.
"Only what Dumbledore has told him," Severus replied. He was smart enough to realize truth would earn him more grace than ignorance at this point. Letting his fingers rest on the edge of the desk, he began to absent-mindedly trace the cool grain of the wood. "He knows that the diary and the ring have already been destroyed."
The muscle in the Dark Lord's jaw tightened and Severus quickly looked away, choosing instead to watch the pattern his finger was making along the desktop.
"And what about those that remain," Voldemort asked, rage boiling just beneath the surface of those words.
"He knows what they are but only has assumptions on where they are hidden."
"What are his assumptions?"
"The locket he believes is still with Mundungus Fletcher. The snake he knows is always at your side," Severus said, eyes still fixed on his fingers. He had now exhausted all of the information he had gained from Potter, what came next could only be attributed to his deductive reasoning...and a little bit of luck. Raising his eyes, he studied the Dark Lord's face as he dove into speculation.
"The whereabouts of Hufflepuff's goblet still remains a mystery; however, he assumes Ravenclaw's diadem to be at Hogwarts."
Severus couldn't miss the slight pull of The Dark Lord's lips at these last words. It was small but it told him everything.
"Where does he think it is at at Hogwarts," he asked quietly.
"The Chamber of Secrets, my Lord."
The smirk widened as Voldemort reclined back into his chair. Bringing his hand up to stroke his chin, his red eyes became unfocused, staring off into the emptiness of the room. Silence fell over them once more as he seemed to contemplate the information Severus had given him.
"One month, Severus," he repeated. His gaze returned, cold and hard as he stared directly into Severus's eyes. "I expect regular updates, in person next time."
"Thank you, My Lord," Severus said. He took a step back and gave a low bow. "I will not disappoint you."
"You would be wise not to," Voldemort added coldly.
It was all the dismissal Severus needed. He allowed himself to be pulled from his hypnotic state and opened his eyes to the familiar canvas walls. The tent seemed dingier than before in wake of the warm office he had just left. But, at least now he had a plan.