Together they weaved through the corridors leading to the Dark Lord's chambers. He wanted the uttermost privacy for this meeting; he checked to see if Severus was following him, he was. Seeing this, he picked up his pace, eager to get to his chambers. He wanted this done as rapidly as possible, so as to spare Harry the hurt, but also so he didn't have to witness it. It was piteously selfish but terribly true.

As soon as they reached the private chambers, Voldemort conjured more than enough strong spells to make sure their conversation was not overheard. He could see that Snape was getting slightly nervous, which normally meant that he was extremely nervous.

"Severuss, have a seat," the Dark Lord said calmly. Severus' small twitch had stopped; he was now completely terrified.

"Yes, m-my Lord." He stumbled onto the couch. Voldemort sat as well, looking over at Snape, suddenly feeling unsure.

"Err…" he began, completely out of character. Then after realizing he'd said something so weak, tried to regain his composure. After the look of astonishment had left Snape's face, he continued, trying to salvage his already ruined reputation. He got down to business immediately.

"The mission I need completed is about the Potter Boy," Voldemort started with his usual composure. Here he carefully chose his words. "I want you to kidnap him and bring him here. He is not to come to any more harm than needed, that meanss no attacking him verbally or physically. I will know if you have, Severuss. You shall depart immediately, and I warn you not to be shocked by his physical state."

"If I may be so bold, my Lord, you said 'more harm'. In what condition will I expect to find Potter, my Lord?" Shape asked hastily.

"His condition," the Dark Lord began, only to stop and think about it. Considering his options, he deduced that it'd be best to let everything be known. "Severuss, I cannot tell you, you must be shown. What I am about to show you must, first, be kept silently to yourself. Secondly, I must tell you, it is a memory but it is not my memory. It was forced through my barriers."

Snape was shocked at this last; the memory was forced through the Dark Lord's mind. That was magical power and very strong will. Then the identity of the sender became quite clear.

"Potter's memory?" he asked.

"You forget your place, Severuss," Voldemort hissed.

Snape immediately leapt up and knelt down, groveling. "So sorry, my Lord, please forgive my transgression." He kissed Voldemort's robes.

"Get up Severuss, yess, yess, it was blasted Potter's recollection. He's been sending them all summer, but that's not important. The memory," he placed his spider-like hands on Snape's temples, "will give you all the answers you seek, and then some." He projected the images he'd received into Snape's mind, one memory after another.

After three consecutive memories they both resurfaced into the present. Voldemort noticed that Snape was rather pale then usual. Child abuse seemed to distress him.

"I… I understand," was all Snape said, trying to regain his smooth composure.

"Excellent, then we must plan for the mission," began Voldemort. "I trusst you are able to get in the wardsss?" To this Snape nodded profusely. "Brilliant, that will make thiss so much easier. The plan is basically to infiltrate, kill the fat pigss and collect the boy. Sseeing as the boy is mostly unconscious he shan't be a problem."

"It shall be done," said Snape with conviction. "My Lord," he remembered to say in time.

Voldemort waved his hand in a gesture of both approval and dismissal. "Hurry, Severuss, he hasn't much time," the Dark Lord whispered, but Snape heard him nevertheless.

"In all haste," was his only reply as he swept out of the room majestically, his black robes billowing around him in true Snape fashion. Then leaving a sullen Voldemort in his wake, wondering why he couldn't do that.

"Maybe if I buy longer robes," he said to himself, actually considering it (after all image was everything). And the billowing of the robes was intimidating.

Pushing up from his seat, Voldemort walked through the small door on the right to his private library. It held more books than Hogwarts and Flourish and Blots combined. He walked through the rows, running his hand over several books as he passed. He found the fireplace and decided on a strong drink and a good read for the rest of the night. He'd no intention of falling asleep before Harry Potter was within his reach.

Sitting comfortably in his favorite leather chair, he poured himself a tall glace of brandy. He took a sip and then swirled it around in true madman style. Taking another sip of the alcoholic drink, he opened his book at random. The entire book was amazing. He'd already read it; it had been and still was his favorite. The title was The Reign of He-Who-Must-Not-be-Named, a book about him, he truly loved it. Until the end and it started to rejoice the Potter brat.

But instead of reading it, he started to think about the mission he'd just sent Snape on. He'd long suspected Snape of being a spy. He worked at his enemy's bloody school, only a fool wouldn't wonder. But, he had yet to conclude on what to do; he was after all the best potions master in the bloody world. He couldn't just outright kill him, no, Severus had his uses. Voldemort thought that with the Potter Boy in his custody maybe Snape would reconsider, he was going to be taking care of the blasted boy after all, not like that daft old bastard. He'd win Severus over, he was sure of it. In any case, Snape respected power, and he had enough of it on his own that he could switch sides at will, and the Potter boy had it too. He was the deciding factor in this war. It would all come down to which side of the playing field he'd be on. With Potter at his side, he could not be defeated. The world hung on Potter's malnourished shoulders. The world waited for him.

A/N: I won't keep you long , cuz well you can go look at my other stories if your not reading this, though I know no one ever reads AN's but meh. Right so please Review let me know what you thought and anyways REVIEW and check out my other stories if you liked this one. XD thanks again steph.