"Severus, I've heard about you." Voldemort said softly. He stood up, carefully looking over Severus who remained motionless. "Would you like to know what I've heard?" He paused. "Please, have a seat." Voldemort flicked his wand, a chair began sliding behind Severus. Another flick of Voldemorts wrist and Severus was bound by invisible ropes to the chair.
"Now that you are comfortable, lets begin... Shall we?" Asked Voldemort taking a seat on the desk infront of Severus.
"What have you heard?" asked Severus, knowing what was already coming.
"You must know that truth always hides behind rumors. I need to know the truth, Severus..." Voldemort leaned in closer. "I'm seeking the boy."
"Harry Potter?" Severus asked.
"I speak of none other. I've heard you have been caring for the boy since the night I murdered his parents right infront of him, is this true?"
"I would rather die than care for the boy." Severus lied, Harry was his whole world.
"Interesting..." Voldemort closed his eyes and took a deep breath.
Severus felt like his mind was being pick locked. He controlled his mind and emotions. He couldn't let this man know anything.
"Do you have something to hide?" Voldemort asked.
"I will tell you everything you want to know. Just ask. My mind is not a book to be opened and read at leisure. You just have to trust me. I know all of Dumbledore's plans. He trusts me."
Voldemort chuckled. "Why the betrayal? Why have you come to me?"
"I want the old fool dead just as much as you do. I know what you want and I can give it to you."
Voldemort looked in Severus's eyes. "Is this why Lucius sent you?"
Severus nodded.
Voldemort released the invisible ropes. "Tell me, Severus... How do you plan on helping me?"
"I can infiltrate Hogwarts... I can gain access to the ministry. After all your reign begins where the people confide their trust. You take over ministry, no one can stop you. Not even the fool himself."
Voldemort listened with ease. "Go on. What about the boy? He his my main concern. Kill him before he can even walk. He poses no threat as of now... When he gains power and knows everything, then my plan is ruined. You must find where they are keeping the boy..."
Severus nodded.
"But first... Your left arm, Severus." Voldemort held out his wand.
Severus held out his arm as asked. Voldmort turned it over and waved his wand over the unmarked, pale skin. Severus cringed, his arm was searing, "What are you doing?!" He cried out.
"Giving you my mark. You are now one of my own. A Death Eater. This mark will alert you when I am calling. I expect you to come everytime I call... If you don't, well I'll kill you. You have to prove yourself to me. Gain my trust. Once you have my trust, a ceremony will be arranged. You will be one of us soon enough... But right now, go to Albus, find the boy and report back. The real work begins after."
Voldemort dismissed Severus. He walked away rubbing the mark, it still burned. What was he getting himself into? Harry flashed before his eyes. All this was to protect Harry... What was he to tell Voldemort? Harry lives in the castle. Voldemort must not know.
Severus made the long journey back to Hogwarts by broom. The cool air brought him back to reality. He sighed. The hogsmeade lights cut through the blackness as he reached Hogwarts. Inside he walked the empty halls. Teachers, students, staff and Harry were nestled in bed. Severus crept down to the dungeons, and sat in an old broken chair, rubbing his eyes, he started a fire in the fire place, dozing off to the sound of the crackling fire.
The night was long, the fire died, and Severus woke up from a cold sweat. This was the first night he had not had Harry in his arms. He rushed up the stairs and knocked on Mcgonagalls Quarters. A grey haired woman with a gentle smile answered the door. "Severus, is everything alright?" McGonagall asked.
"I'm fine... Where's Harry?" He tried to see around her.
"Harry is quite all right, Severus." She led him through her quarters and into a bed chamber. A small bassinet stood at the foot of a bed. "See?" she pulled back the blankets, Harry slept peacefully, "He's sleeping." She said in hushed tones. "He's such an angel." She smiled sweetly
"I was just worried."
"Severus, thats what it means to be a parent." she patted him softly on the back. "Can I get you tea or coffee?"
Severus was taken aback by her kindness. As a child attending Hogwarts, Severus seen her as a wicked old lady, but the years seemed to soften her edges. "Coffee, please." He said softly. McGonagall led him over to a small kitchen, closing the bedroom door behind them.
"Harry is in excellent hands, there's no need to worry." She said putting water on to boil.
"I know... It's just that this was the first night being away from him... is it normal to miss him while I'm away?"
McGonagall chuckled softly. "Yes. He's your son."
"Will it get any easier? I mean to let him go?"
"No, not at all. Being a parent means constantly having to worry about the safety of our children."
"Do you have any?" Severus asked curiously.
"Yes, I have a son. He's all grown up and has a family of his own. Timmothy is his name. I worry about him all the time still. You just get better at coping."
Severus looked through the eyes of a woman whom he didn't recognize any longer. He never once thought about Minerva being a mother or a wife.
The kettle whistled, and McGonagall poured two cups.
"What about your husband?" Severus wanted to know more.
"He's gone. He passed 20 years ago." She sighed, "He was a wonderful man. Much like you Severus. Strong willed, he would have done anything to protect the ones he loved. He died protecting our family in the battle of the Trolls."
Severus reached out and touched her hand. The rest of the night Severus slept much more soundly. The day to come would be working with Albus to produce a lie that Voldemort would believe.
