AUTHOR'S NOTE: Thanks to lunalovegood12321 for the review and words of encouragement! And the Author Alert notices I've received are an excellent sign. I can say tentatively that I'll post a new chapter roughly once a week… I like to stay about four chapters ahead of what I've last published. My last story (Blackbird Singing in the Dead of Night) got a bit derailed when I ran out of incentive and inspiration, but I'm really passionate about this story, I enjoy writing it, and I can say with some certainty that I'll continue writing it for as long as I possibly can. Anyway, enjoy this chapter (and don't forget to review!)
Cecilia ached everywhere. She didn't know anything but that fact. A flickering light shone through her eyelids. She thought she could dimly hear Amycus and another, unknown, voice.
"What news do you have?" the high, cold voice asked.
"We have disposed of Delia Hathaway, my Lord. Her body lies in Flourish and Blott's, along with the owner, Alton McKnight, as an example of what happens to those who try to oppose you," Amycus answered.
With a dull thrill of terror, Cecilia realized that the one speaking must be none other than He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named. She tried to move her hand. Cecilia thought she felt arms around her. Maybe that meant Dolohov or Amycus was carrying her.
"And what is this?" Voldemort, (for it was much easier to think the name than to say it out loud,) must've finally noticed her.
"Hathaway's niece," Dolohov's voice rang from close by. "We've checked her out. An upcoming sixth-year. Ravenclaw house."
"Why didn't you simply kill her?" Voldemort smirked.
"We could if you'd like," Amycus replied eagerly. "I just thought we should bring her to you first, in case you needed a prisoner. Her aunt was very high up in the Order of the Phoenix. You could get the Order to release a few Death Eaters in exchange for her."
"I need not take orders from you, Amycus," Voldemort snapped. Suddenly, she heard the swish of a robe coming closer. A thin, cool finger touched her cheek. Cecilia, weak as she was, still needed to fight not to squirm in horror. There was silence for a few more seconds as the finger traced her forehead and the bridge of her nose. The finger stopped moving, suddenly, lingering at her hairline, as if Voldemort had been struck with sudden inspiration. "Summon Severus," he said abruptly. "Put the girl in the dungeons, for now."
"With pleasure, my Lord," Dolohov uttered. As the one carrying her began moving and she was jostled back and forth, Cecilia fell back into unconsciousness.
Severus Snape strode purposefully into the Malfoys' dining room, his robes billowing. The door was closed behind him as he stood before Voldemort, who was sitting in an ornately carved chair situated in front of the fireplace. He bowed once.
"You wished to see me, my Lord?"
"Yes," Voldemort answered. "I trust you find your new quarters comfortable?" His eyes seemed to penetrate Snape's, and he knew that the Dark Lord was using Legilimency even as he spoke. Snape fought to keep him out of his mind.
"Very much so. I cannot thank you enough."
Voldemort observed him silently for a moment, looking amused. "Well, you know that I reward those who are faithful to me, Severus. And you are certainly that. In fact," he paused slightly, twirling Lucius's wand between his fingers. Then he gazed at Snape again. "I have another reward for you. For your capture of Charity Burbage. The way is now clear for the Carrows to take teaching positions at Hogwarts."
"You are much too kind, my Lord," Snape murmured.
"Are you familiar with Delia Hathaway?" the Dark Lord asked.
"She is a member of the Order of the Phoenix, I think."
"Was," Voldemort corrected. "Amycus and Dolohov disposed of her only a few hours ago. However, they managed to capture her niece, Cecilia Rigby." A look of surprise flitted across Snape's face. "Do you know of the girl, Severus?"
"Yes, my Lord," he said. "She is a student of mine at Hogwarts."
Voldemort smiled mirthlessly. "How very interesting." He got up and turned to face the fireplace's crackling flames. "Amycus and Dolohov wish to kill her. What do you think, Severus?"
Snape blinked. "If it is what my Lord wishes."
The Dark Lord laughed. "No, actually, it is not quite what I wish." Without looking up from the fire, Voldemort said, "I am giving her to you, Severus."
There was a pause. "W-what?"
"She is your reward," Voldemort answered, still staring into the flames. "A present for all your hard work, including ridding me of Dumbledore. I trust you will accept?"
"My Lord, if I may, it would not be," he struggled to find words, "decent. She is one of my students."
"She was one of your students, Severus. She cannot go back to Hogwarts now. You have two choices: To keep her or to kill her. Which would you prefer?"
"I would prefer that she live, my Lord," Snape said.
"Then I will have Dolohov bring her to your room at once." Voldemort turned around and smirked at Severus. "She is pretty, is she not?"
Snape stared at the floor. "Y-yes, my Lord."
"I know the life of a Death Eater can be lonely sometimes. And she is of pure blood, so I see no problem with you keeping her." He paused, and then spoke in a voice heavily laden with implications. "To do with what you will." Voldemort chuckled, then stepped in front of the chair and sat down again. "She can stay with you in your quarters. Mind you teach her her place, however. It is important that she learns, by force if necessary, that you are her master." He lazily hissed at Nagini, who slithered along the table to join him. Severus stepped out of the way as the snake glided past and onto Voldemort's shoulders as he continued speaking. "And that I, as your master, am also her master. She will no doubt try to escape, but her wand has been taken away and she will not be a threat. I have no doubt that you can handle her."
Snape said nothing. Voldemort stroked Nagini's great head.
"I trust your instincts, Severus," the Dark Lord continued. "I give you full permission to punish her as you see fit. Kill her if she becomes too troublesome."
Snape was silent for a long moment. Then he bowed again, slower this time, and when he spoke, he sounded very tired. "Thank you very much, my Lord."
With one hand, Voldemort waved for Snape to leave the room, which he did at once.