Chapter 2 – Several days later - Snape
I was in a right foul mood as I stormed my way down the hall towards the stairs that led to Gryffindor tower. 'Damn that insufferable man. I won't do it.' I growled under my breath. The meeting I had just come from with Dumbledore had not gone well at all. His arm was becoming even more troublesome and the curse was now beginning to zap his strength both magically and physically. It was only a matter of time before it began to zap his life force as well. When that happened, I would have to live up to the Unbreakable Vow I had just made.
'I'd hate to be the student who crosses Severus Snape tonight!' One of the portraits whispered as I passed. Ghosts and portraits alike fled as I stormed down the hall. Not only was I in a foul mood, but I was also on patrol with the prefects up near the Gryffindor tower. I wanted nothing more than to retreat to my private rooms and just allow myself to not think for the rest of the evening.
'I wish I could make my cloak billow like that, mommy.' A child in one of the portraits whispered as he and his mother fled before me. I smirked for only a second before replacing it with a scowl and continuing on my way. I met Weasley and Draco near the Fat Lady to discuss patrolling patterns. Draco nodded as he and Weasley headed off down the stairs to join the other prefects who were patrolling. I could almost feel the tension between them as they began to descend the stairs.
As they left, I spotted a small black hooded figure limping along the wall. I watched for a moment before I pulled my wand from my sleeve, flicked it towards the figure and whispered 'Lumos.'
The blinding light revealed Hermione Granger, who stood frozen as if petrified. 'Miss Granger.' I purred almost happily. It was only luck that I had caught her out of bed and in the hallway after curfew. 'I believe that will be 25 points for being out after curfew.' I said. 'But Professor…' She said meekly, looking around for another professor I would assume. 'That will be another 10 points, for arguing with a professor.' I said almost lazily. 'But sir…' She said quietly, tears shining in her eyes. 'One month of detention, Miss Granger. I expect you to meet me in my office at 7pm tomorrow night. I don't care if you are a prefect; it doesn't give you permission to be out of bed after hours. Now I suggest you get to your common room before you lose any more house points.' I said smugly.
'Yes, professor.' She said quietly with her head hanging in defeat. 'Merlin, it's good to be a professor.' I thought happily. She limped passed me and went to the wall where she would make her common room door appear. As she went, I wondered where she'd gotten the limp from. When I'd seen her in Potions this morning, she was her annoyingly cheerful self and limp free. 'Probably met one of my Slytherins on the way back to her dormitory.' I thought as I said 'Nox' and continued my patrol.
Elsewhere in the castle – Moments later – Hermione
'Damn that insufferable, pompous git.' I muttered to myself as I limped to the entrance to the Gryffindor prefect common room. 'As a prefect of Gryffindor, I ask for entrance to this dorm.' I said while drawing a lion's paw print on the wall in front of me.
A roar sounded in my ears as the bricks fell away and allowed me entrance to the prefect tower. I limped to the couch, threw my cloak onto the back of the couch, and sat down as carefully as I dared. I had displeased the Dark Lord by speaking out of turn.
Lucius Malfoy had stated that all mudbloods were scum and I had cleared my throat and told him otherwise. Voldemort had gripped my thigh as I sat beside him and nearly broken it with the force he'd gripped it with. I had begged for forgiveness before I could tell Lucius that not all purebloods were perfect. He'd allowed me to leave with my life and a slight limp. I had been lucky.
Now I had detention with Snape every day this month in the evenings and that was normally when the Dark Lord summoned me, when he wanted a little something different. Dumbledore knew I was in deep with the Death Eaters, he just didn't know how deep or exactly what I was doing. I couldn't go to him and ask him to dismiss my detentions. It would raise too much suspicion and the fact that I had been able to avoid him finding out that I was a mistress was only by luck.
I groaned aloud as I stood up and limped to my room where my private stores of potions were hidden in a floorboard beneath my bed and protected by several curses and spells that had to be undone a specific way to avoid physical harm.
My pensive and memories were kept there as well. I undid the security charms, pulled out a general health potion, and drank it down. I put the empty vial back, and pulled the memories from this evening from my brain and put it in the pensive before I reset the charms and lay down in my bed. I could feel my leg healing and closed my eyes. I fell into a fitful sleep as the skies opened up and rain fell heavily against my window.
In the Dungeons – Snape
I disarmed the wards to my chambers, entered my office and poured myself a healthy dose of firewhiskey before I began grading my first years' potions essays. As I read, I found myself steering off towards other thoughts. My mind couldn't help but wander back to my encounter with the Granger girl. "What on earth could've happened to that girl?" I thought to myself. I shrugged it off and continued with my grading.
Minutes turned into hours until I looked up and noticed it was well after midnight. I stood and stretched before I felt a deep burning sensation in my left arm so painful I dropped to the floor hissing in pain. I pulled up my sleeve to see the Dark Mark burning bright red and black. I was being summoned. "What in Merlin's name could be going on at this hour of the morning?" I thought as I stood. I immediately grabbed my cloak and used the hidden passageway that connected my office to the front gates, where I could apparate to Malfoy Manor, a feeling of uncertainty trailing ever presently alongside me.
Malfoy Manor
I watched as the iron gates turned to fog as I passed through them. Hastily I made my way into the dining hall where I was greeted by Lucius and Narcissa with Lord Voldemort sitting menacingly at the head of the table, stroking Nagini.
"Ah Severus." he hissed quietly, "Come, sit. We have saved you a seat." I obeyed and took my seat beside Lucius at Voldemort's right. "I trust you bring news of the Potter Boy"? My eyes darted from Nagini who was curled in a ball staring as intently at me as her Master before me was.
"Yes, My Lord," I answered hastily. "Potter has been unofficially inducted as a member of the Order of the Phoenix. He is being trained in higher level Defensive Magic by members of the Order, most likely Dumbledore or Moody. Their location in the castle in unknown, but I trust that Draco and other spies of mine will locate him soon." Voldemort's calm demeanor was suddenly disappeared. He stood and walked behind me, his hand on my chair. "Ah I see. Well it seems my spies have failed me Severus. I will not tolerate failure. The boy must be killed, this time for good." He hissed.
The Dark Lord sat back down and looked directly at me, his eyes piercing into my soul. "You have done well for me tonight Severus. But know this, next time you are summoned I require more news than just trifle little details. I will NOT be so lenient next time." I looked up from the silver snake embedded on the table and lowered my head as if to bow.
"Yes, My Lord. I understand." "Very well, Severus." The dark lord hissed as I raised my head. I stood to exit but was stopped by Lucius. "Come Severus, you must stay, our entertainment is about to arrive." He said as he put his hand on my shoulder. "Really Lucius, you know as well as I that classes start early. It is after 3 in the morning." I drawled carefully.
"Yes, yes, but you know all work and no play makes Severus a very dull boy." He said as he sat me down on the plush sofa and handed me a glass of amber liquid. Scotch, I presumed although Lucius could go either way when it came to his liquor. It would be at least another hour before I could escape back to the safety of my private rooms back at Hogwarts.
I looked up as the door opened to reveal a petite frame escorted by two hooded figures. 'The girl, my lord.' One of them said before they turned to leave, closing the door behind them. 'Gentlemen, I'd like to introduce you to the newest addition to my female 'entertainment'.' The Dark Lord said as the girl lowered her hood.
