A/N: Many thanks to one of the world's most wonderful beta readers, anogete, for all of her help with this chapter.
Obligatory: None of these things belong to me; they all belong to JKR. I just like to have a bit of fun with them, and no profit is desired.
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Whether it was sheer lunacy or not, Severus Snape had found himself slumbering almost peacefully that night in the Slytherin-colored four-poster bed. The room was not freezing, but neither was it warm, and he welcomed the soft comfort of the fabric that enveloped his thin body. Lucius had his chance to kill him, after all, and if one of the more ruthless Death Eaters had decided to spare him for at least one more evening, there was some reason to hope that perhaps he could make it out of this room alive.
Looking around the room as he awakened in the morning, he noticed that it was lighter than he had seen it since he had been there. He was shocked to see that windows seemed to have appeared out of nowhere on the once black walls. Sunlight bathed his surroundings, and though he was not immediately sure if the image he beheld was really the true outside world or merely an enchantment, it was a foreign concept to him to be relieved by the sight of the sun. Could this new light be a promise for his continued existence, miserable as it had been? Could he now choose his path and be committed to it, in intent as well as deed, with no one pressuring him to pursue anything other than his heart's desire?
He roared with laughter at this ridiculous notion. His heart's desire? He didn't even have a heart, nor any desire to fill it. He was Severus Snape, cruel taskmaster of the Hogwarts dungeons, murderous Death Eater and Order spy. He no more had desire than Neville Longbottom had skill in potions! When was the last time he had made a decision for himself, one not guided by the demands of his two ruthless masters? No, there was no hope in the sunlight; there was only the promise of more unpleasantness to come.
Shaken from his reverie by the reality of his situation, he drew his sore and weary body from the bed and set about preparing himself for the day. Since his visit from Lucius, he knew it was only a matter of time before more people came to the door. Perhaps Wormtail would come and kick him to death, Muggle violence the only skill he possessed, or maybe Bellatrix would come and taunt his manhood. He could at least do them the courtesy of being clean and dressed for their mockery.
After exiting the bathroom, Severus frowned slightly as the rumble in his stomach and the loose fit of his trousers signaled that he had long been without proper nourishment. He would be of no use with his power sapped from him by hunger, even if he did manage to make it out of this room alive. If that power were diminished, he would certainly be murdered for his uselessness. That would not do. He had not come this far for that to happen.
As if on cue at that thought, the door clicked open, and before him stood Bellatrix Lestrange, dressed in tight black robes, her eyes betraying the madness that lurked inside her head.
"Ah, Bellatrix, how wonderful to see you again," he exclaimed with mock courtesy, bowing his head slightly and surveying her with thinly veiled amusement.
"I assure you it has not been long enough since we last saw one another, Snape," she snapped, the fire in her voice not at all diminished since the last time he had been forced to endure her company.
"Pity, I thought this was a social call." He relaxed into one of the armchairs by the now cold fireplace. "Come to dispose of me, then?"
"Much though that would delight me, I have come to fetch you." She did not move from the open door and glared at him with a murderous fury.
"That seems more like a task for a common house-elf to me, dear Bellatrix. Has your favor with the Dark Lord really sunk so low?" He chuckled to himself and waited for her enflamed response.
"If you give me any trouble, Snape, I have full authority to hex you to the next world, so I suggest you come along quietly if you expect the Dark Lord's leniency." She crossed her arms over her chest and dared him to defy her.
"Very well." His black eyes glittered with a dark humor as he rose and moved to the door. He was halted as she grasped the limp flesh between his thighs through his trousers. "See something you like, Bellatrix?"
She only squeezed her hand tighter and growled, "This is my little way of reminding you quite literally of your situation. I have you by the balls this time." She released him and chuckled. "Though I doubt very much that you have any use for them."
He made to slap her, but he thought better of it. He cursed himself for even thinking of giving into her usual baiting methods and allowing his pride to run away from him. "Now, now, Bellatrix, let us not keep the Dark Lord waiting due to your baser instincts." He sneered at her.
"Remove yourself from this room before I do it for you." She glared at him as he moved around her.
Once in the hall, Severus realized that he had no idea where he was. There had been many bases of operations for the Dark Lord, but this was one to which he was not accustomed. He waited for Bellatrix to walk in front of him before moving any further into the manor.
They strode in silence through several corridors, and Severus got the distinct feeling that she was pursuing this maze-like route in an effort to ensure that he would not be able to remember the path himself. Her assumption was only a testament to her arrogance, for his many years as a spy had taught his memory to hold onto every detail of his surroundings, and he knew that if he wanted to turn around and find his way back to his room now, he could.
Finally, he found himself before a large wooden door, accented by an ornamented frame. He grimaced at the gold and crimson trim around it, and realized that though the Death Eaters' members were predominately Slytherin, there was at least one Gryffindor mongrel there who saw fit to remind the others of his house.
As though reading his thoughts, Bellatrix waved her wand at the doorframe and the gold and crimson were replaced with black and green. Under her breath, she muttered, "Filthy Gryffindor trash," before waving her wand again and causing the door to open.
Snape had to admit his surprise at entering what he assumed was the Dark Lord's audience chamber. It was quite large and boasted old and intricate tapestries on the walls, all featuring dark scenes from various mythologies. The ceiling had gilded moldings and the floor was covered with a magnificent green rug. Impressive as it was, there was little furniture save a table with a few chairs off to his right and a throne-like chair in the middle.
On that chair sat a thoroughly pleased-looking wizard with piercing red eyes.
"My Lord," Severus muttered, lowering himself in respect before his now one and only master.
"Come closer, Severus," Voldemort hissed, "and pay me proper tribute."
Needing no further encouragement, Severus rose, never meeting Voldemort's gaze, and strode over to the throne, throwing himself before him and kissing the hem of his robes. After he retreated a few steps, he knelt on the ground, his billowing robes surrounding him and framing his subservient posture.
"Bellatrix, you may leave us alone now. Please return in an hour that you may express, as well as you are able, the extent of your devotion to me." Though Severus could not see his face, he could sense the carnal urging of his master's words, and he shuddered as the door closed, leaving him alone with his fate.
The two wizards remained quiet for a few moments before a shrill "Crucio!" shot through the air, sending agonizing waves through Severus' body. He did not allow himself to give into the pain, and remained calmly kneeling before Voldemort. "Crucio!" he intoned again, though he never allowed the torture to last long enough to cause permanent damage.
After several minutes like this, the torture stopped, and he could hear Voldemort chuckle. "Do you know why I have punished you, Severus?"
"I have failed you, my Lord." He maintained complete honesty in his raspy voice.
"Yes, and fortunately for you, you are hardly the only one. You may relax, for if I killed everyone who has done so, there would hardly be a Death Eater around to bow before me." Severus felt him move closer and place a booted foot beneath his chin. "Certainly you know what it is like to work so hard to train others to your satisfaction, only to have them fail miserably, Severus?" He forced Severus to look up at him with one swift jerk of his boot.
"It has been my job these past years to suffer such disappointment, my Lord." He didn't dare offer more words than were absolutely necessary.
"How do you manage it, Severus?" he asked rhetorically. "For so long you work to instill important values in those beneath you, preparing them to do the tasks required of them. And yet, when the time comes, no one can manage to ensure your resurrection, bring you a mere boy, or a prophecy, or rain down death on a decrepit old wizard. Have you any idea how frustrating that is?"
"Certainly my disappointments have been nothing compared to the failings with which your faithful servants have burdened you, my Lord." Severus lazily maintained eye contact with Voldemort, allowing him into his mind enough to see his murder of Albus Dumbledore through the barriers of Occlumency.
"You are blessed with the skill of fine observations, Severus," he stated, firmly kicking Snape's face to the side with his boot and returning to his throne. "While I am grateful for your accomplishment, surely you did not believe you would get away without facing the consequences of defying me, did you? Crucio!"
Pain settled over Severus again, and though his eyes faced the ground once again, he did not dare to grimace outwardly and betray his weakness.
Several minutes later, the torture ceased, and Severus found a wand thrust in his face. At first, he prepared for his life to be ended, however the familiar aura of his own wand rushed through him. "You may take it," Voldemort breathed with exasperation above him.
"You are most gracious, my Lord," Severus admitted without a trace of emotion in his voice as he pocketed his wand and bent low at the waist before his master again.
"You would do well to remember that before you defy me again. Have you learned your lesson?"
"You are an exemplary teacher, my Lord." Severus reveled in the comfort of his wand as he groveled at Voldemort's feet.
"Rise that I might tell you of my plans for you, boy." Severus stood, and Voldemort continued. "You have never held much use to me, save your skill with potions and your position at Hogwarts, but now that you have seen fit to make it impossible to continue spying on the Order, you will have to resume making potions for me. Another room has been added to your suite for you to begin brewing, and I will assign to Wormtail the task of ensuring that your stocks are full. If he displeases you, do inform me before dealing with him."
"I would not deny you the pleasure, my Lord. What potions am I to brew?" He dared to look into Voldemort's eyes.
"Patience, my old friend. You will know more in time. For now, I need you to prepare simple things like healing potions for our comrades when they are injured in battle, and Veritaserum for when an enemy falls into our hands. I will decide whether or not to trust you with more at a later time." He settled back in the chair and cracked the knuckles of his own hand in relaxation.
"I hope to please you with my work, my Lord." Severus fell forward to kiss Voldemort's robes again before straightening himself back onto his feet.
"I shall have Lucius give you the grand tour." Voldemort flicked his wand, and moments later, Lucius appeared in the room. "Do show Severus around, Lucius, that he might see all this house can offer us."
"Of course, my Lord. We shall take our leave." Lucius grabbed Severus by the elbow and made to move him out of the room.
"Oh, and Severus?" Voldemort called as they walked out, causing them to turn around and bow their heads. "I am pleased that the old man is dead, and in time you will be rewarded for your actions. Is there anything you desire?"
"Only to be in your service, my Lord. There is nothing greater to me." He raised his left arm and pressed the Dark Mark to his chest.
"I am sure I will think of something adequate. That will be all, gentlemen." He waved his hand at them in dismissal.
"My Lord," muttered Lucius and Severus as they turned and exited the room.
"It is agreeable to see you again, Lucius," Severus remarked casually as they began to make their way through the halls of the manor. Occasionally they would encounter another Death Eater, but the house was hardly bustling with activity.
"I told you that your life was safe here, Severus. However, it is good to see that you have relaxed somewhat. You must be hungry." Lucius chuckled at the growl coming from his friend's stomach.
"It has been a long time since I enjoyed a good meal," he admitted, willing his stomach to stop protesting about its emptiness.
"We will break our fast together momentarily, as in the old days, my friend, but first there is someone I thought you might like to visit." He smiled wickedly, and they both relaxed into their former friendship.
Severus laughed comfortably. "I hope you are not taking me to accept favors from Bellatrix, Lucius. I had hoped for no more punishment today."
Lucius' eyes gleamed with amusement. "I would not subject myself to her presence if not necessary either. No, we will find you a Mudblood tart if you desire release, and will not trouble you with the ministrations of Bellatrix." They rounded another corner and came to a door that radiated with the power of protective wards. "I thought you might like to visit The Cell."
Lucius flicked his wand several times and whispered a number of incantations before the door melted away to reveal the bars of a small cell. Inside of it sat a couple of cowering figures Severus did not recognize, but closest to the bars was a young, blonde-haired man, Draco Malfoy.
Lucius pointed his wand at his son. "Come and say hello to your old Head of House, Draco."
Draco's robes were torn, dirty, and smeared with blood. His hair clung to the sweat on his gaunt face, the features of which were twisted into a hateful scowl. "No," he replied simply.
"You will show respect to your elders, my son. Have I taught you nothing?" Lucius thrust his wand a few inches forward.
"I have no desire to show either of you respect, Father," he spat out, looking away from the men standing on the other side of the bars.
"Imperio," cast Lucius lazily before manipulating Draco magically to rise and walk towards him. Maintaining the curse, he used his free hand to grab Draco by the hair and press his face to the bars. "Manners, Draco."
"I thought he would be dead by now, Lucius," Severus mused, eyeing the arrogant young wizard powerless before him. "Why has his life been spared?"
"He may prove useful at some point, I imagine. If his fate rested in my hands, trust me, I would not hesitate to end it. I had to endure much pain for his incompetence when I was freed from Azkaban." As though tired of this amusement, Lucius dropped the Imperius curse on his son, causing Draco to scurry to the back of the cell. "Do enjoy your stay, Draco. I do not know when I shall see you again."
Lucius laughed as he and Severus stepped back. Lucius used his wand to return the wards to the cell and replace the bars with the door and wall that had been there before. "Now, my old friend, let us have something to eat, and you can tell me all about how you have fared this last year."
Some time later, after an elegant meal, Severus was returned to his room, and the wards that had been placed on it to restrain him were released, giving him leave to secure the room of his own accord.
"You may find remnants of Wormtail's cheek in the decorations, Severus, as we were unable to scour everything in the house for Gryffindor colors, but I trust you will correct it. It has become something of a game for us. Wormtail reminds us of his house, we discover his treachery, and then we hex him. I think he takes some kind of pride in the punishment," Lucius had told him before leaving him alone to see that the room suited his tastes.
As Voldemort had promised, another door had appeared in the room that led to a small laboratory. One advantage of his days at Hogwarts had been his proximity to a large and well-stocked potions laboratory, but this would have to do for the time being. The Dark Lord wanted potions, and it was Severus' job to see that he got them. He set about organizing the room
Over their breakfast conversation, Severus realized that, even without his presence at Hogwarts, the Death Eaters had managed to get a great deal of information on the goings on there. They were investigating the weaknesses in the castle and getting as much background as possible on any students who may prove to be a problem, specifically the close associates of Potter like the Weasleys and the Granger girl.
He wondered why he had been forced to play double agent for all of those years, when it seemed that information flowed into the Death Eater headquarters whether he was surrounded by those witless dunderheads or not. All that time wasted as a double agent, as a teacher, as a confidant of all, and it seemed he really was as disposable as the younger Malfoy.
With that disconcerting thought, Severus decided that a drink was in order before he was faced with any more of his old Slytherin friends.