Author's Note: This is an alternative narrative to the Harry Potter series, which obviously (said in Snape's voice) means that some facts, storylines and even characters will be changed. This story is meant only for entertainment purposes. I do not own any of the original characters created by J.K. Rowling, only my own character, Rose Avery.

Chapter 3

I take Lily upstairs to my guest bedroom. I can tell she's apprehensive about going into such an intimate room with me, but I can also tell that she'd rather be alone with me than Voldemort.

I try to keep the mood casual as I say, "In there is the loo. You're welcome to draw a bath. I'll have my house elf, Valentine, bring up some new clothes for you."

She just nods her head.

"Are you hungry? I can bring up some food as well."

"No."

"Are you sure?"

"I'm not hungry."

Unsure of what else to do, I simply say to her, "I'll leave you to it then. If you need me, I'll be right downstairs."

Without another word, I turn and leave her room. I do take my time going back downstairs to join Lord Voldemort. I am extremely anxious to get all my questions answered. How did he find her? How long as he had her? Why didn't he tell me immediately about her? And most importantly, what did he do to her? I know, however, that I need to allow the Dark Lord to reveal the answers in his own time. It's obvious to me that he enjoys seeing me in such a vulnerable state. It doesn't escape me the severity of this moment. I cannot let him know how incredibly unhinged I am. I need to keep calm and behave in a manner that is expected of me. I cannot let my sensitivities overcome my rationale.

I descend the steps and before I turn to go back into the sitting room, I hear Voldemort say, "Kitchen."

When I enter the kitchen, I see Voldemort tending to a kettle on the stove. I am surprised because I can't recall a time when he did anything remotely Muggleish.

"Did I ever tell you about Miss Marty?" Voldemort asks me as I enter the room.

"I can't say that you have, my Lord."

"Miss Marty was a very nice caretaker at Wool's. She cleaned the shit-stained toilets and mopped the mud caked floors. Offensive work, but she could certainly make the best cup of tea that I ever had or ever would. I've made a cup for you."

I look at Voldemort incredulously.

He gives me a small smile. "I can understand your suspicion, but it's only a spot of tea, Severus."

I take the cup reluctantly but have already decided I won't risk one drop. "I have many questions for you."

Voldemort sits across the counter from me. "I know. I suppose I should start from the beginning."

I nod in agreement.

Voldemort asks, "Do you remember the raid in Cheshire where I was looking for you know what?"

"Yes. That was around November."

"Correct. That's when I first encountered Lily…..Rose…..whatever. She was studying in the museum when we arrived. Thanks to your meticulous planning, what we needed to do went off without a hitch, but then I saw her. To be completely honest, Severus, I was quite worried, panicked really. I thought it really was Lily Potter back from the grave to seek vengeance on me for killing Harry. I genuinely felt like those were my last moments I had to live. Silly now, knowing she's just a weak, little Muggle, but I wasn't wise to that at the time."

Voldemort's fear was not an unusual emotion for me to be aware of. Although he thinks he does such a great job keeping his feelings hidden from me, there have been countless times over the years when I sensed fear, dread, and trepidation. What was out of the ordinary was his willingness to offer this information so freely to me. Fear made an individual weak and someone like Lord Voldemort could not be seen as weak. I wasn't sure if there was an ulterior motive for deciding to share these secretive thoughts with me.

"So, what did you do?" I ask.

"Crucio. I had to make sure I got the upper hand on her in case she was there to destroy me. Imagine my relief when she dropped like a ton of bricks, writhing in pain."

My stomach turned sour thinking of my lovely Lily being subjected to that type of torment.

"Then what?" I ask.

"I took her back to Salazar Manor where I questioned her."

I raise an eyebrow. "Question her or torture her?"

"I interrogated her."

"What did you learn?"

"That if she is Lily Potter, she doesn't know it or at least doesn't remember being her previously."

I want to hear every little thing that Voldemort learned about Lily. Where did she go to school? Does she love someone special? What was her childhood like? Is her favorite color the same as my Lily's? Is she a happy individual? No detail would be too mundane. I wanted him to omit nothing. I craved to learn all about her but thought it best to discover these answers by hearing it from Lily herself. Besides, it seemed as if I was going to get as little as possible from Voldemort anyway.

After a few moments of silence, I finally ask, "What do you think this all means?"

"It might not mean anything."

"It's got to mean something."

"Not necessarily. Maybe she just looks like her. Maybe she is reincarnated. Does it really matter?"

It most certainly matters to me. I need to know if this is my Lily and if it is, is this my chance at not only redeeming our relationship, but somehow making up for my betrayal to her and my inept ability to save her son?

I say, "I want her to stay here with me. I need to understand her."

I hold my breath, not entirely confident how the Dark Lord will respond.

"Severus, you know I don't approve of Magic-Muggle relationships, but I brought her here for you. You have been my most loyal servant and your contribution to my cause has been insurmountable. I think you deserve her."

Not believing for one moment the Dark Lord wants me to be happy, I dryly say, "How incredibly kind."

"My suspicious Severus, you don't need to believe me, but know she's yours. Happy birthday. Anyway, if you'll excuse me. I am retiring for the night. I'll see you on Sunday."

I stand from my seat as Voldemort looks down at my untouched teacup. "I noticed you didn't try Miss Marty's tea recipe. How unfortunate."

"Whatever happened to Miss Marty?"

With a sad smile, Voldemort says, "I put her out of her misery many years ago. No more toilets."