Severus looked at the vast forest around him. It had been two months since he joined the Dark Lord's Death Eaters.
The two months had not been easy to him though. Till now he had managed to not kill anyone during his raids. He simply maimed a person or knocked him out of the battle with heavy damage. It did the work.
Since he was a lowly Death Eater for a moment, none of his actions were considered much by other Death Eaters.
The Dark Lord was really terrifying sometimes with his red eyes and the occasional parseltongue, he used in between. He was also no slouch when it came to magical arts.
He didn't wanted to invoke his wrath on him anytime soon. As such he usually tried to fulfill the tasks given to their group with utmost efficiency.
Many interesting things had happened too, in this two months.
The person who had been arrested by the aurors as the leader of their group was none other than Rodolphous Lestrange. Severus didn't knew why? But the Dark Lord had did exactly what he advised in the meeting.
During the trial even upon Veritaserum, Rodolphous Lestrange claimed to have nothing to do with the Death Eaters. The judges were not happy but they had to accept the situation. Finally Rodolphous Lestrange was declared free on the grounds of being imperioused. Though he was also placed on house arrest for 6 months.
His arrest also broke his impending marriage. The Black family no longer wanted to proceed on the marriage of Rodolphous Lestrange and Bellatrix Black. They were playing shrewdly for now. Going on with a disgraced family like Lestrange at the moment would only make them a target. Playing it shrewdly, Orion Black had politely backed out from the contracted marriage.
Randolph Lestrange wasn't happy by this. Even then he couldn't do anything about it. He had to face the consequences of his son's actions. The Lestrange family lost some of it's prestige as it was inevitable after the arrest.
He felt a burn in his arm at that moment. He immediately cleared his mind of everything that could be harmful for him. He didn't knew the reason for the call of Dark Lord, but he wasn't going to take chances.
The Dark Lord had met him six weeks ago when he had decided to notify the Dark Lord about his newfound Lordships.
The Dark Lord had been extremely pleased hearing it. He had congratulated him for his newfound wealth and the large donation which he had made for the cause. Severus had used the old technique of making the Dark Lord happy. Which was none other than funding his growing army of Death Eaters. Though he had made the funds in such a way that it won't be tracked to him.
He had got an amused smirk though when the Dark Lord had felt his plan of not getting the money traced to him.
The Dark Lord had been only happier after he peeked into his mind and confirmed the news of his and Andromeda Black Tonks newfound relationship after Severus himself broke the news about it.
He had acted on the best way. If the relation between Andromeda and him was to be discovered by anyone and reported to the Dark Lord, there was a huge chance of him dying at the hands of former for treachery.
Why won't he use the information carefully in his own way?
The Dark Lord was sane for now but he didn't knew, how long would he remain so? He was taking things in such a way that the Dark Lord would consider him as one of his favourites.
There was a huge increase in the actions being taken by Ministry now. It was necessary to play things safely for now.
He had gently coaxed the Dark Lord about the shift in Andromeda's loyalties after she had met him or seduced by him according to his wordings. Andromeda Black wouldn't hold much importance or the interest of the Dark Lord but Nymphadora Tonks sure did.
Metamorphmagus was a very rare trait even in the Wizarding World, and now the Dark Side had one in their campaign.
Though Nymphadora was a child for now, she had gotten the Dark Lord's interest. The Dark Lord had even asked his intentions of having Andromeda in his house.
It was obvious that he was a little skeptical of his intentions. He dearly wanted to check if his follower was harbouring any intentions of love for her.
Severus however knew the answers the Dark Lord would love.
Severus had spoken the truth of wanting the daughter for his research and having the mother as his mistress and bedwarmer. He had told the Dark Lord about his research in duplicating the trait of metamorphmagus to which the latter was extremely pleased.
Beneath all the facade of being a Dark Lord, Tom Riddle had been an exceptional wizard with skills and knowledge unparalleled by most. He was intrigued by his research and was extremely pleased with it. He even told to give him updates regularly on his research.
He gently walked away to the cabin where the Dark Lord was present. The two Death Eaters simply let him inside, without any checking or inspection. The whole area was warded for the Dark Mark. Only a person having the mark coud enter inside. There was no chance of any auror arriving here or any spies present.
"My Lord." He greeted politely with a bow.
"Severus." was the calm and composed reply from the Dark Lord.
The cabin was occupied by only them at the moment. Since they were alone, the Dark Lord decided to call him by his name. Only the Dark Lord knew the name and identity of every Death Eater personally.
The Dark Lord was inside the cabin surrounded by maps and blueprints of any building.
"How is the research going on?" The Dark Lord asked calmly. He sat the chair and rocked it slightly.
"Difficult my Lord. I am still searching for any papers on a research done like this. Besides I have to be careful. The girl is the only sample I have as of now." Severus replied calmly. It was the truth afterall.
"As expected." The Dark Lord said in affirmation. He knew the schematics of experimentation himself too.
"I believe you won't get lost completely in the pleasures of flesh with your paramour. I expect some updates too afterall." The Dark Lord said amusingly.
"We do have our vices my Lord." Severus replied back with a hint of smirk.
"Indeed!" Voldemort said happily. He knew of the eldest Black daughter.
The girl had eloped away with a muggleborn. He didn't cared much for her. His interest was more in the daughter of the woman. The girl was a metamorphmagus. A rare ability in the wizarding world. She was just like him. Someone who possessed extremely rare abilities.
She will be a huge advantage to his ranks when she grows up.
His follower could do everything he liked with the woman. However he will not let the daughter be compromised.
Atleast the girl's mother realised her mistakes. She had taken refuge in the arms of one of his talented followers. He knew Severus didn't have much taste for torture or rapes.
Voldemort accepted his reasons. It gave him a sense of superiority, that he was above those trivial weaknesses. Besides it gave him one of the weaknesses which he could exploit if his follower's loyalty was in question.
"Hmm. I am planning to attack the Ministry of Magic's ball this weekend." He said calmly. From the corner of his eyes, he peeked at his follower's composition.
On seeing Severus nod at his words, he continued on.
"I will be leading the raid. There will be not much bloodshed. We will focus on only creating as much chaos we could." Voldemort continued on. He wanted the public to know, that they are not as safe in the hands of Ministry as they think. He wanted to weaken the morale of the people by attacking the Ministry.
Severus nodded at the words. He understood the reasons behind this attack. If the Ministry couldn't protect itself, how could it protect the wizarding public then?
"What do you want me to do my Lord?" Severus asked carefully. If his guesses were right then the Dark Lord wanted him there in the raid.
"I want you to apply for a Healer's position in St Mungos. You have the skills and knowledge already for it. I have seen it in your mind." Voldemort said praising him a little.
Severus was confused at the request.
"I know you find it bothersome. However, I want you to be my secret asset. Create your identity in the Wizarding World as a reputable citizen and healer. It will help me greatly. For the wizarding public, you will be a neutral healer who heals everyone. Create as much goodwill as you can. I have a plan for you." Voldemort said with a small smile. He knew Severus would do well in the task.
The boy had common sense. Something which most of the wizards lacked. He would do well in the task.
Severus frowned and agreed.
"This is a letter for your appointment there. I will be in touch with you." Voldemort said as he handed out a grey envelope to Severus from his robe's pocket.
"I will try my best my Lord." Severus replied with a small frown as he took the letter.
"You have to." Voldemort said with a smirk. If what he suspected and guessed were true, then it was a perfect chance for him to place his agents.
Knowing Severus, he won't be amazed if he heard the news of a promotion sooner than he expected.
"Now, what about the messenger patronus you were attempting to do?" Voldemort asked with a frown. He had never been able to cast a patriots before. Not to mention it would cause his wand to rot away, even if he tried.
"I was thinking of using patronus as a messenger my Lord. I had an idea and was pondering on it. If somehow I got a patronus to use as a messenger. It could save much time." Severus replied with a small excited smile. He wanted to portray his image infront of the Dark Lord as someone who loved to experiment things.
Besides the Patronus idea was Dumbledore's invention during the first war. As far as he knew, there was nothing of that type till now. If he was able to create it faster than Dumbledore, then he could flaunt it as his creation.
"You know that Patronus is a light magic." Voldemort remarked aloud.
"I don't agree with the concept my Lord. In Dark Arts, there are sometimes when our emotions play a greater part. I belive 'tis to be the same with patronus. For example, I believe that the patronus could be achieved if we dwell on the feeling of being safe by something or someone." Severus explained his theory.
"I would still advise using a different wand my Lord." Severus immediately warned Voldemort.
Voldemort let out a laugh at the words.
"Ofcourse Severus. Why don't you do it once?" Voldemort said with a small laugh. He was amused by the concern of his follower for him and his wand.
Severus nodded. He had already mastered the spell by now. He focused on the familiar feeling of being safe and sound.
"Expecto Patronum." He said softly.
A huge white light burst from his wand. The light immediately started to take the shape of a figure.
Voldemort watched curiously as the light finally formed the figure of a Ukranian Ironbelly. The dragon flew around Severus to protect him from anything.
"Ironbelly?" Voldemort asked as he looked at the descending dragon infront of Severus.
"Yes my Lord. My wand core is an Ironbelly. I always feel safe only when I have my wand with me. I believe, it is the reason I have it as my patronus." Severus explained.
Voldemort frowned at the words. The words did felt right. Afterall the incantation of spell did meant so.
"Expecto Patronum." He murmured softly as he took out his wand.
A bright light shone out of his wand amidst the sudden fast vibrations of it.
Voldemort was a little confused when he felt the wand trembling and vibrating in his hand. He never overused the power as he gently let the magic out.
"It is a good first attempt my Lord. Far better than mine own." Severus spoke impressed. The Dark Lord was really a beast in terms of skills and power.
"Search deep within yourselves for the feel of safety my Lord. You will be ready then!" Severus advised with a small impressed smile on his face.
Voldemort nodded calmly. Strangely the magic felt a little nice. Besides, it only made him more determined to perfect the spell.
He would attempt to do better.