Declaimer : None of this belongs to me. All characters are property of J.K. Rowling

Warning: this chapter contains mild assault and violence scenes.

One Sweet Day

Chapter 4 - Do What You Have To Do

The sky was boundless and the stars hang low. The ebbing cloud had pulled back from a soaring moon.

Suddenly the air became full of the swishing of cloaks, which hid the moonlit. Thirty-six figures Apparated into a yew grove, all of which were hooded and masked. The baffled group stood for a moment, looking around, their master was no where to be seen, his place of honor was empty and Nagini was missing as well. It meant one thing; their Lord wasn't around, yet. The crowed relaxed minutely.

A second group of dark hooded figures materialized at the tree-hidden grove. It consisted of Bellatrix Lestrange, Gregory Goyle and ten new recruits, one of whom was levitating the 'spoils' of their latest mission behind; five pale, weary, and frightened teenagers.

"Bring them here!" Bellatrix ordered a willowy blonde that was recently initiated into the ranks of Death Eaters.

Apprehensively Mirada darted few steps towards their captives, and then stopped, looking wretchedly at the poor children. Four of them; three boys and a girl appeared to be siblings, for they shared the same features; flaming red hair, blue eyes- save it for the girl who has bright brown eyes- with freckles. The other girl, however, has a bushy brown hair and dark chocolate eyes. They were all bound and gagged.

"Come on girl! Let's see you using some of the curses we taught ya'!" Goyle said in a harsh voice.

The young blonde shook her head, she was anxious not to harm them. The girl with long red hair seemed badly injured there was a bone-exposing gash across her left eyebrow and Mirada could see the deep cut through the jagged tear in her trousers, the others were in no better shape; there were bruises and scratches on their faces and bodies. Although the attack took them by surprise, the teens had put up a real fight before the Death Eaters managed to disarm and capture them.

"What are you waiting for?" demanded Bellatrix impatiently shoving the younger witch out of her way, "Here let me show you," she seized one of the red- haired teens by the arm and pushed him ruthlessly to the ground before giving a sharp and painful kick to his ribs. The boy's cry of agony was muffled as he lay face down in the muddy ground.

"Ea-v-em-lo-n!" gasped the bushy-haired girl through her gag, while attempting, in vain, to free her body from the binds and launch at the sadistic witch.

Mirada wanted to scream that it wasn't fear, to voice her disapproval over the inhumane way these young people were treated as she had earlier that day announced that they-the Death Eaters- weren't suppose to kill the innocent in order to clean the wizarding world from the Mud- Bloods and blood traitors,something that earned her a severe admonishment from her senior fellows.

'We are about to concur the world, girl! Your first priority in life, should be seeking to destroy wizarding families of Muggle lineage, destroy the Muggle world and gain complete power and control over the entire wizarding world, and restore the magical community to the pure-bloods!' Yuk!

Mirada only hoped that her little show hadn't reached the ears of one particular person whose displeasure was, dare she say, as bad as his Lordship?

"You want to defend him girl!" Bellatrix looked from the red-haired boy to his bushy-haired friend who was still struggling against her ropes. She half turned, drawing back her foot to kick the youth again.

"Don't touch them he wants them unharmed!" one of the Death Eaters called out. They weren't allowed -by his Lordship orders-to so much as scratch the children's skin, as they should be handed to their master's fervent ally unhurt.

Many believed him to be working on a special, yet very secretive project. A life elixir Perhaps? Something required pure and innocent souls in order that their master gains more power. It was the only explanation why the Dark Lord will save his right-hand man all the children and women of their missions.

"Shut up!" Bellatrix yelled her eyes flashing, and her lips were drawn back in a furious snarl as she leaned over the boy who lay curled on the muddy-ground, clutching his abandon and moaning., "I'll drive you to the brink of madness, and then kill you!" Bella said with a vindictive glee in her eyes. "Something I wished to do last year but run out of time!" she hissed, and raised her wand to reflect pain, she needed to release some of her anger and apprehension; The Dark Lord would definitely not be pleased when he hears of tonight's raid results, which ended in failure.

"Cruc-"

"I thought I've mentioned before, that they shall remain intact" a very cold voice came from between the trees that sent shivers down the crowd spines. They well knew the voice belonged to one and only person; the Dark Lord's most ardent supporter. The man had a reputation among the Death Eaters that he was as heartless and cruel as their master himself.

Mirada watched the captives' frightened features relax a bit. She closed her eyes and shock her head 'the relieved look over your faces would be short lived' Mirada thought sadly.

Moments later, Severus Snape appeared from the shadows, and stood next to Voldemort empty throne. The Death Eaters quickly took their position and performed a circle waiting for further instructions.

"What difference does it make if you're going to kill them anyway?" said Bellatrix tartly.

"Why Bella," Snape said acidly, leaving the throne side to walk slowly towards her, Bella has to force herself to stand her ground when she saw him approaching. "I thought you of all people will know the difference between freshly harvested ingredients and ruined ones in a potion's quality"

It was the cool and clinical way that he described the young people before him as potential ingredients that made even the hardened Death Eater look uncomfortable.

Mirada averted her eyes, unwilling to look at the poor children who went white with fear and started fighting their bounds to no avail. She couldn't help but feel sorry for them , they were of about her age, and she definitely wouldn't like something so horrible to be done to her.

"We can save you some of the scraps," Goyle offered callously

Snape whirled round, the menacing look in his eyes made Goyle blanch and back away from him. Many of the crowd quailed as well. "I need more than just 'some scraps'. Flesh and internal organs is what I need,"

Mirada bit her tongue as she found herself on the point of saying 'Leave them alone!' those teenagers are young, very young to die!. But she remained silent, knowing very well that it wasn't her place to give any opinions at what should or shouldn't be done with the 'spoils' of their mission. Besides his Lordship's right hand- man wouldn't hesitate to punish her. Snape was assigned the task of training and disciplining of the recruits or so it seemed, however, beneath the surface, even the senior Death Eaters have been at the receiving end of Snape's mercies. No one in his right mind would dare to defy him as it was a common knowledge between them that the Potions Master wrath becomes second to the Dark Lord himself; which was a very frightening knowledge.

Sure enough, the young witch watched in amusement as Snape folded his arms across his chest and raised a malicious eyebrow, "Well, Bella?"

Reluctantly, Bellatrix lowered her wand. "You always have all the fun!" she shouted in sheer frustration, and then turned away, stripping the mask from her face.

"I don't think our dear Severus intends to have any fun with them Bella." the imperious voice of Voldemort came from a short distance away. Bellatrix clumsily fell to her knees. The Dark Lord walked down the circle alongside his gigantic snake. One by one the gathered Death Eaters sunk to their knees kissing the hem of their master's robe as he passed them. Snape-as usual- only bowed his head. He wasn't wearing the silver mask that all of them have been compelled to wear in the presence of his lordship 'another privilege' Mirada mused.

"Well, well, well, look who have graced us with their presences" said Voldemort his livid red eyes flickering downwards at the five helpless creatures. Mirada cringed inwardly when he sat on one knee to examine the red haired girl, tracing her jaw with his pale spider-like fingers. The poor thing flinched and would have jerked her head away, if not for the Body Bind.

"This young beauty here is the first girl to be born into the family for several generations." said Snape silkily as he knelt beside the Dark Lord.

"You have done your studies as usual I see" Voldemort said softly.

The Dark Lord was in a pretty good mood that was for sure.

"Indeed" the Potions Master murmured running his thumb lovingly over the young witch's blood-stained cheek. "So that we know how rare a find she is, it would be a waste not to harvest these eyes. I can only imagine how beautiful they'll look bubbling onto the flames". The poor girl's eyes rolled back to her head and she slumped to the ground in a faint.

Voldemort laughed. 'The best thing about you, my boy, is your devotion to your work"

People stirred their eyes dart sideways at each other through their masks. Their Lord was strangely wearing a triumph smirk on his snake-like face, one of which he had the first night of his rebirthing when Harry Potter was bound to the headstone of his late father.

"As for you two gentlemen," Snape turned to address the two red-haired identical twins, which were looking at him with evident distaste and hatred. "What was it you have in your shop's display?" he asked tapping his wand on his chin, making a show of thinking, then the Potions Master started circling them as a predator would its prey and came to a halt right before them smirking. "Aha! 'why are you worrying about you-know-who? You should be worrying about u-no-poo -the constipation sensation that's gripping the nation!"

The comment was met with a barrage of disapproval sounds and shaking heads; some in anger others- like Mirada- in compassion with the young men that were about to be punished. Severely.

"'o-t-ell-nab!" one of them shouted through his gag, blood from his cut lip trickled over his chin as he struggled anew, but that only seemed to make the bindings tighten their hold on him.

"Your talented tongue should be the first shimmering in my cauldron" Snape said smoothly and a look of fear replaced the bravado on the teens face. "But first things first" the Potions master smiled pitilessly and raised his wand "Avada Kedavra!"

Mirada couldn't bear to look but the flash of green light shone through her closed eyelids. She was ever grateful for the silver mask covering half of her face as it hid her silent tears while the curse was cast four more times.

The Potions Master then glanced at the Dark Lord as if asking his permission for what he was about to do. "You may proceed," Voldemort mentioned to his right hand man to continue as he seated himself on his throne.

"It was brought to my attention that some of you have become," Snape said, walking around the ring of Death Eaters, he paused at the young blonde, "Disenchanted with our cause" the last word was delivered with an icy whisper. A cold fear shot up Mirada's spine and her shoulders quaked. She was aware of the reputation of the man standing before her, and she desperately tried to hide her fear.

Snape mentioned for her to step forward. Hesitating for a moment, Mirada stepped forward and approached the forbidden wizard.

"Ms. Maxwell, if I'm not mistaken" Snape said softly, reaching out and lifting her chin with the tip of his wand.

The girl seemed to grow paler, she swallowed a couple of times, trying to produce saliva, and nodded.

"I understand that you weren't enthused about tonight's activities?" the austere wizards' voice was soft and dangerous as he surveyed her coolly through his greasy curtains of black hair.

Mirada shock her head in denial, dreading what she knew was to come and spoke with a pronounced stutter. "N-no s-sir I-"

"Crucio!" Snape cast lazily, the young recruit screamed and thrashed around. He left the curse some five minutes later, when her cries have ceased. "You ought to be careful Ms Maxwell; I shan't be very lenient next time such a dreary attitude was displayed, understood?" he addressed the small heap that was his junior fellow, before casting the curse once more.

"Y-ye-s s-s-sir" Mirada's voice was just a croak as she was rolling on the muddy ground, oblivious to the sweat covering her body and the tears streaking her face, when the curse was finally lifted, she scrambled to her feet trembling and took her place in the circle.

"I take it that the mission wasn't of much success?" a knowing smirk played about Voldemort's lipless mouth as he observed his followers' nervous expressions. However, he seemed to be in such a good mood that couldn't even be spoiled by his servants' tardiness, who failed dismally in their task that evening. "Tonight you may leave in one peace; no one will be punished as I feel an unusual sense of charity"

Tensed postures relaxed visibly, sighs of relief and many dully mutters could be heard around the circle …

"Thank you master"

"You are most generous master"

"However, you will better remember that there would be dire consequences if any tardiness was shown from you in the future" Voldemort reminded them.

Again mutters of "Yes master" and "certainly my Lord" came from the gathered Death Eaters.

"Maybe another night, Nagini" The Dark Lord addressed his snake which glided away through the grass, to where Peter Pettigrew stood shifting from foot to foot as though he longed, but did not dare, to move from his spot. Voldemort's scarlet eyes assessed a spot beyond his servant. "What pray tell, the werewolf have done that incurred the wrath of our dear Severus?" he inquired but he was still beaming nothing seemed to affect his good mood

The Potions Master snaped his fingers imperiously, a grin curling his lips, as the eyes of the circle flashed in Warmtail's direction.

Pettigrew stepped aside, when he moved, so did the shadow his cloak had been casting over the ground. Several gasps of horror were heard as the moonlit spilt across the splayed body of a man. Though they couldn't make much of his features as his body was crushed and mangled beyond recognition.

Snape stood for a moment over the body on the floor before rolling it over with his boot "Mr.Greyback here couldn't resist the temptation to inflect damage to many of my most valuable ingredients; defying your Lordships orders he abandoned the mission tonight, in favor of his newly found tastes.

"So naturally he had ah, a very unfortunate accident while trying to make better acquaintance with my laboratory toys, and potions' phials" Snape's voice was flat and chilly. The gathered Death Eaters quailed and their stomach just turned over. Warmtail moved even further, putting as much distance as he could between himself and the beast's mutilated body.

"Severus, my boy" Voldemort said, smiling fondly. "Whatever will I do with you?"

------
---

"Harry! Harry come on!" Neville shook him, and the raven-haired teen started to stir, and then opened his eyes.

Harry came out of his stupor to a hand shaking him and a voice arguing him to wake up. He sat up, his hand still on his scar.

"Come on mate, I'll get you to the infirmary" Neville put both hands under Harry's arms and helped him stand up very slowly; the raven-haired teen winced and nearly fell, "Easy mate!" Neville cautioned, putting his right arm around his friend's waist and draped Harry's left arm around his neck, supporting almost all of Harry's weight. "Don't worry I have you – I won't let you fall." Neville's grip tightened around him as he staggered forward. Both teens started to walk slowly with Neville walking side way through the narrow tunnel; so he could support his friend's limp body.

"Please mate, hang on" Neville said, looking worriedly at his near catatonic, friend. Harry's eyes were unfocused, his whole body was trembling; he seemed to be in a state of shock. Neville only hoped that whatever awful vision he has this time, it wasn't like the one he had the night Dumbledore was murdered; to witness people tortured and killed was one thing but to be in You- Know- Who's mind was totally a different thing, poor Harry said it felt as if he was the one who cast the curses and enjoyed watching the Muggles' writhing in agony.

Holding his staggeringfriend firmly, Neville and Harry made a slow, painful journey to the school's infirmary.

------
---

Harry awoke to find himself lying in a rather comfortable bed with a cool, damp cloth covering his forehead. He frowned slightly at the familiar ceiling above him; he was in the hospital wing that was for sure, but where was everyone? He propped himself up on his elbows and gazed out toward the window through the half drawn curtains of his bed. It was already twilight outside. Something was missing Harry could feel it but he couldn't quite put his finger on. Harry sat there for a long moment trying to remember what it was that felt so wrong? 'Oh no!' he blinked for it all came back to him like the rushing wings of a Hippogriff 'The vision!' …

"What difference does it make if you're going to kill them anyway?"

It's another false vision…

"I thought you of all people will know the difference between freshly harvested ingredients and ruined ones in a potion's quality"

He's just playing with me…

"I need more than just 'some scraps'. Flesh and internal organs is what I need,"

Surly he didn't….

"It would be a waste not to harvest these eyes; I can only imagine how beautiful they'll look bubbling onto the flames"

No, this didn't happen…

"But first things first" the Potions master smiled pitilessly and raised his wand "Avada Kedavra!"

Ginny!

'Avada Kedavra!'

Ron!

'Avada Kedavra!'

Hermione!

'Avada Kedavra!'

Fred!

'Avada Kedavra!'

George!

This couldn't be true, it couldn't…

TBC

-------

"Ea-v-em-lo-n!" "Leave him alone!"

"'o-t-ell-nab!" "Go to hell Snape!"

AN: The first part of this chapter has been written from Mirada Maxwell's point of view. Although she isn't a canon character, I just wanted to show the Death Eaters meeting from a different prospective.

I'm sure many of you will find it strange that Severus Snape has such an influence over the rest of the Death Eaters, but if you read page 556 of the HBP you will know what I mean. Further more, Bellatrix, Narcissa and Draco all of them confirmed that Snape is Voldemort most trusted advisor and he is the Dark Lord's favorite

Hope you enjoyed reading this chapter