Chapter Eight:
Finally the small group reached the Great Hall, pulling Severus out of his dreams.
The feast was delicious. The food was cooked perfectly, Severus thought as he ate his meal. Hogwarts had always had the best meals.
"Right, now that we've eaten, I believe that it's time for us to go over the rules. Now, each night, there are two teachers on duty. There will be roster, and each of you is expected to perform your duty unless you are very ill or otherwise unable to do it. This involves checking students in bed, making sure no one is up and about. Just keeping an eye out for our charges!" Dumbledore said.
"Ok, next on the list is..." Severus drowned Dumbledore's voice out with his thoughts.
"Severus?" Severus' head snapped up at the sound of his name. Dumbledore was looking expectedly at him.
"Severus, I wish to speak to you privately. Follow me." Dumbledore then strode out of the hall. Severus looked around at the other teachers who simply shrugged. Dumbledore was a great man, one that people did not question.
Severus then got up and followed Dumbledore.
Once they reached Dumbledore's office, Severus sat down into the chair that sat across from the large desk. Dumbledore sat on the other side of the desk.
"Severus, I am pleased you are here. However, I wish to speak to you about a job."
"I thought I had a job here?" Severus asked, confused.
"Yes, Yes. But this would be different job. Something that only you and I would know about."
"What?" He asked.
"I wish for you to spy on Voldemort for me." Severus' eyes bulged out of his head. He could not believe what he was hearing.
"I do beg your pardon. I must have misheard you…"
Severus sank back into his chair. This was not at all turning out the way he had imagined.
"I need time to…. Think about this."
"Fine. You may have some time to think about this offer." Dumbledore stood, as did Severus, and then said "Come back tomorrow night at seven o'clock with your answer."
With that Dumbledore turned to his expansive bookshelf, searching for something. Severus took this to mean the conversation had ended.
Letting himself out of the office, Severus stood in shock. This was not what he had expected. How could he spy on Voldemort? The Dark Lord knew all.
The room was dark, and dank. Severus looked around the room. The walls were covered in cobwebs, some with spiders in them. Severus shivered at this. He may have been a dark character, but secretly he hated spiders. Then a wave of cold air gushed into the room. Severus turned to face his master, to whom he bowed.
"Ah Severus. What say you?"
"My Lord, my job at Hogwarts is going well. However I have nothing to report on Dumbledore. It is as though he has forgotten about your powers my lord. He speaks nothing of you." Fear ran through Severus, How would the Dark Lord react to this?
Rising to face his master once more, Severus took in the looks of his master. Once a handsome young man, Voldemort had grown more and more snake with the passing year. His face was often contorted into an angry look. His hands had become slim, with long sharp nails. Voldemort no longer had a smile but instead a smirk on his face permanently. Severus tried not to shudder as he felt Voldemorts' hand on his skin, touching his arm.
"You have been a good servant Severus. Like Lucius said you would be. We will just have to show Dumbledore how serious I am. How powerful I am."
Severus bowed again deeply. "Of course my lord. He cannot, should not doubt you." The words filled Severus with bile.
"Ah, you are right. Now, when you return to Hogwarts, I wish for you to find out more. Ask others about Dumbledore. Take note of what he says and especially what he doesn't say." Severus nodded.
"I am weary of this. You shall return in a week's time. Goodbye." Voldemort rose, and left the room.
The next night, Severus went to Dumbledore's office. After stating the password – Candy canes – He gained access to the room. At first it seemed as though Dumbledore wasn't there. But then the chair behind the desk spun around slowly.
"Ah, Severus I see you're here with your answer, I presume?" Dumbledore asked. Severus nodded.
"I will work for you. Why is it important that I do this though?"
"I am looking for ways to stop Voldemort. The fact that you are in his inner circle will help me fundamentally."
Severus looked his hands. He didn't feel as though he would be of any help.
"Severus, I need you to tell me what his plans are."
Severus nodded. "He wanted me to come here... To spy on you and Hogwarts."
Dumbledore nodded. He had known this of course. Why else would Severus have come, in desperate need for a job?
"I see. Anything else?"
Severus shook his head. "No. He is working on something though, a plan of some kind. I'm not sure what it is yet."
"Well, we must be prepared for what it is. First I want you to study something for me. It will help with your duty to me and to Voldemort."
Lily and James hugged each other happily. "I can't believe it. It's actually going to happen. I'm going to be a father!" James shouted.
Lily shushed him. "The neighbours will complain if we're too loud. Oh, James, can you believe it?" She said smiling. She rubbed her still flat stomach. Soon it would be large and round with child.
James kissed Lily softly. "You're going to make a wonderful mother. And I think I can say I'll be a pretty good dad too." He smirked.
Lily swatted him. "I'm sure you will be!"
"So can we talk about names or is it too early?"
"Well, I've always like the name 'Harry', or maybe 'Robert'?" Lily said.
James hugged her close to him once more. "Harry is a good name, strong. I like it."
Lily smiled to herself. She felt as though she would explode with happiness. She was glad that the news had come when it had. This would take her mind off other things, like Severus. Now she could focus on her family with James.