Chapter 11

Severus hated this feeling although it had been his constant companion for almost 20 years now: his left arm burned like someone had put acid on it – the Dark Lord wished to speak to him.

Why? was Severus first thought. Was there new information? Was Voldemort angry about something? Did he, Severus, do something wrong? Or was this just a regular meeting to celebrate some major murder?

In the end, it didn't matter whether Severus knew what was awaiting him or not, for he couldn't change it. So he took his Death Eater mask and hurried out of the castle, over the now evening-dark meadows and into the Forbidden Forest where he could apparate. He touched his Mark and the next moment he was gone.

He reappeared in a tremendously dark room, even darker than the Forbidden Forest, so he wasn't able to see anything at first. A candlelight suddenly sprang to life, which barely spent some light. Now he could see his Master sitting in a throne in front of him, looking very displeased.

Severus knelt at once, as humble as possible. "My Lord," he said in his best servant's voice.

"Rise, Severus," he was told coldly and so he stood.

Patiently, Severus waited for Voldemort to say more. But when he did he had to control himself not to pale in panic.

"I've heard something I can't say I like," Voldemort began.

"What is it, my lord?" He tried to sound innocent.

"That you stood on this mudblood's side against Draco Malfoy."

Severus remained silent.

"Is this true?!"

"Yes, my Lord." It was useless to lie.

"Yes?!" Voldemort seemed surprised. "And why did you do something disgusting like this?"

Severus was glad about his intelligence which allowed him to think very quickly. "It was only to calm down Dumbledore," he explained in such a steady voice that no one would be able to detect the lie. "Once in a while he gets suspicious of me so I do something in order to proof my loyalty. With this rather heroic gesture I hoped to soothe him for the rest of the year." As he spoke, he looked Voldemort seriously in the eyes and in the end it seemed to work.

"Very well, Severus," the Dark Lord finally spoke. "I believe you; I already thought it was something like this. But please, in the future, try to do something less disgraceful than helping a mudblood."

"Yes, my lord," Severus replied with a bow. "It won't happen again."

"Good. You may leave now."

And with one last bow Severus disapparated. Only when he was back in the Forbidden Forest, seen by no one, did he breathe heavily. That was very close… He had to be more careful from now on! If Voldemort had only sensed a flicker of doubt, he would have killed him on the spot, so quickly that there would have been no time to react. And all because of Hermione… He shook his head as if to let go of his thoughts.

He'd love to go back to his dungeons at once but he had made a deal with Dumbledore that he would tell the Headmaster always immediately of his latest Death Eater meeting, no matter the time. So through the darkness he went to Dumbledore's office and knocked.

"Yes," Dumbledore called from inside, and Severus entered. In not so many words he then described what had happened and waited for Albus' reply.

"So you helped Miss Granger with Draco Malfoy?" the old man finally spoke, raising an eyebrow.

Severus groaned. "Yes, I did. What is so terrible about that?! You always wanted me to be kind and now that I've shown some mercy with the little brats, you don't like it either!" Maybe it was too much trouble to be kind after all…

"Oh, I do like this new side of you," Dumbledore told him, his eyes twinkling. "But I wonder why it always has something to do with Miss Granger…"

Severus shook his head furiously. "Just a coincidence!" He couldn't believe this turn of the conversation – and he definitely didn't want to talk about Hermione! "It's late, I'm going to bed now." And so he left the office, slamming the door a tad too loudly.

Dumbledore had the feeling as if he had just caught Severus doing something wrong…

AN: For all those who can't wait any more: soon something major is going to happen and the mystery will be solved – although this won't be the end… But sometimes a story needs time to develop…