Authors notes: I am sorry for not updating for so long, but I had to concentrate on my exam at college, man who'd say that law school could be so hard. And because of my constant need to study for whole days-« from dawn till dusk»- I fear that I will not be able to write so often. It takes time to figure out what do you want to write. I'm also dedicating this and all the chapters that will come after to my recently deceased grandfather Ivan, may he find eternal rest and peace for his soul. He lived long life and had many children and grandchildren to mourn his passing. Well granpa, this book will be for you. It's not much, but I believe it will be much better than tears.

CHAPTER THREE: TRUE LIES Somewhere, that same night

A dark figure suddenly appeared at the edge of cliff hanging over raging sea. Waves struck at the base of it , white foam spraying for several feet upwards. But that could not be seen from above, only sound of waves being crushed by the immovable stone was to be heard. Moon shone brightly above, casting sea in velvet blackness that threatened to swallow all the stars glittering in the sky. The figure did not move or produce any sound, it just observed everything standing still like a statue. After some time it turned around and approached big circular stone that would easily dwarf even a giant. There it stood , lifted it's left arm and pulled sleeve of his coat. It showed his arm towards the stone and whispered « Morsmordre !» , it's voice like snarl of a dog. A sizable portion of the stone shimmered and revealed a carving of a sinister symbol, a human skull with snake protruding from it's jaws. It seemed alive. Then figure pressed his left forearm on the symbol and suddenly dissapeared. A second later stone was unmarked and only wave s could be heard again.

Severus Sanpe came to his senses just after he touched Dark Mark at the stone with his own, branded in his left arm on the inner side. It was the only way to reach this place, a dark tunnel that led to the Dark Lord's chamber, a place only his trusted servants knew how to reach when summoned. Of course they had no idea where this place was, they only knew that it took Dark Mark to activate transportation to there. It was excellent security system, because only person who could give the Dark Mark was Lord Voldemort himself. Snape knew which way to go and it took him several minutes of walking to reach first crossroads. He took left tunnel then and continued walking thorough the maze. He wasn't worried of getting lost, because he already went this way dozens of times. But he was concerned for his own safety, it was always a risk to stand in front of Dark Lord and lie to him, well, he wasn't lying to him. Actually he reported quite truthfully about Dumbledore and his Order, but he was really spying on Voldemort. And this evening will not be good for him, because he carried bad news. And Voldemort sometimes killed the messenger, so to speak. And he always had to keep his true thoughts guarded, because Lord Voldemort was legilimens, a man who could see your memories and feelings. Muggles would call it mind reading, but it wasn't that simple. Luckily he was also legilimens and as well master of Occlumency, skill of hiding your thoughts and memories. The trick was to hide that you're hiding something in the first place. Dumbledore helped him to perfect his abilities, but still, it was always like he walked to his execution when he had to report to the Dark Lord personally. He used his time to slip fully in his Death Eater persona, not that he behaved much different , at least to those who didn't know him well. But that was the reason he was still alive, and he planned on staying that way. Even if he wanted to switch his allegiance back to Voldemort, he would never survive that. Voldemort would promise to let him live and use him and after that he'd be made an example of to anyone who would thought to betray him. Besides, he made this mess for himself by being foolish. There was a time when he actually believed in Voldemort's propaganda about war against muggles and his promises of rewards and power. Plain truth was, Lord Voldemort wanted only immortality and power to rule wizardkind forever. And muggles were just a fine excuse for his actions. Voldemort actually killed more wizards than muggles, and many were pureblooded. That wasn't surprising, purebloods rarely deferred to anyone, especially Voldemort. But he still had many followers among them, and that was the problem. But Snape was sure he never planned fighting billions of muggles when there was only few million wizards. Even back in the past, when muggles weren't so many, they still were more numbered than wizards, and result was obvious-witches and wizards burned at stakes, and muggles owned the world today.

Snape soon reached the guarded doorway and was recognized. They let him pass and he entered Voldemort's chamber. It was hall lined with tall and thick columns, heavily carved with snakes. Greenish fire burned from their mouths, basking entire space in pale light that made all tinted in green haze. At the opposite side of room was wide wall , face of Salazar Slytherin carved on it. His eyes burned with red flames and his mouth held the throne of his heir, Lord Voldemord who occupšied it at the moment. Chair was also carved with stone snakes, but they seemed to move. The chamber very much resembled the Chamber of Secrets at Hogwarts, but Snape wasn't there so he didn't know that.Voldemort was sitting still, obviously thinking of something. In front of him his most favored Death Eaters kneeled forming half circle. Some of them were shaking, and one was lying on the floor, not moving. Probably passed out by torture. Yes, Voldemort wasn't happy with his servants tonight. When Snape came closer, he relised it was Lucius Malfoy who was unconscious. So he was the leader of the tonights raid at the ministry. Well, he deserved his punisment. Five children were facing his men and him, and he couldn't subdue them. Snape actually despised the man, he had money and his so called pride, but it didn't help him with Voldemort. In front of him, he was only a servant.

« So, Snape, you finallly arrived. I want to know about Dumbledore and his people. Report!», spoke Voldemort, his voice a slight snakelike hiss. It sent shivers down the Snape's spine. « Yes, my Lord. It seems that there was no casualties among the members of the Order. Sirius Black will survive. So the children will. Actually they had only minor injuries, except that Weasley brat, but he was sent to St. Mungo's. I expect he will recover. Maybe he'll get some brains out of it. The rest are ordered to Headquarters, I don't know who is in charge there.»

« And Potter ?» . Voldemort seemed as to expect something, but before Snape managed to respond was interrupted by Bellatrix, « Boy must be dead, I saw him fall thorough the Veil , Master, ...», and sudenly Voldemort whipped his wand at her and yelled « Crucio!». Woman begun screaming, then twitching at floor gaping like fish outside the water. But soon Voldemort stopped torturing her, and she kneeled again, shaking. Only shaking, she dared not to cry, because that would mean more punishment.

Snape chose that moment to continue, « My Lord, Potter still lives. He is lying in some kind of coma, and won't or can't wake up. His lifesigns are very faint, he is to the naked eye dead. As for what is going on with him, I wasn't told, and Dumbledore assigned Alastor Moody to watch over him. Only Dumbledore can approach them. And Dumbledore went somewhere, he didn't tell anyoone where. But I belive he went to get help for Potter.»

« Hmm, as I expected, boy lived and I know why. But it doesn't matter anymore. This fiasco will require change of plans. All of you lay low, especially you Snape. Observe carefully at Hogwarts and inform me as soon something new happens. We will continue building our power and recruit new Death Eaters. Maybe they won't be as incompetent as some of you and will be able to beat five schoolchildren. And take this trash out!» Last remark was meant for Malfoy who still didn't wake up. And the rest of them hurried away. Now Snape could take a better look on them. They all were punished. Some more , some less. Crabbe and Goyle barely walked, Nott made grimaces. Alaric i Nanders were gone. He asked Crabbe, « Where are Alaric and Nanders?» , and Crabbe said « Potter killed them!» . That information stunned him,

« How?»

« He used snakes on them with Serpensortia spell, at least Malfoy said so!»

« Yes, I remember, young Draco used that one in duel with Potter three years ago.»

So, Potter begun playing for keeps. It will be interesting to hear Albus about what his golden child is doing, dark spells. Well, at least he had used something, not that I expected him to know how to fight. It seems that he is not so helpless as I thought.

Soon he reached leving point and dissapeared, only to appear back at the cliff. He was alone. All of the inner circle had their own way in and out. Voldemort was calm, too calm. It didn't bode well for someone, he hoped it wasn't him. He tought about curreent situation. The best descriptiuon was calm before storm. Voldemort is plannig something and they were no longer in his trust. He always did so actually, everybody knew only their part of plan and no more. Dumbledore won't be happy about lack of information, especially since Snape wasn't in the know about attack at the Ministry.

So Snape apparated away, leaving only silence behind. Moon still shone in the sky and blackness rolled underneath.