Chapter Two: The First Meeting

Severus Snape stood in the circle of Death Eaters in Malfoy Mansion. As far as he could see, everyone was already gathered – he had been running slightly late, which he could not afford since this meeting was very important. He really hoped the potions he had been brewing for the last weeks would never be administered. A cold feeling had settled in his stomach when he was given orders, but he dared not ask too many questions even though he was one of the most trusted Death Eater at the moment. Now he would see who would be the next victim. He really did not wish to be here since he was needed at the school and he had too many things on his mind already.

Lucius was still outside the room talking with Bellatrix about something. The blonde did not look too pleased as far as Severus could tell, but whatever was the matter he could not investigate. He was sure the blonde knew something, but it might be just that the oldest Malfoy was nervous about his diminished position among the ranks of Death Eaters.

The doors on their left opened suddenly and the Dark Lord entered in a swish of black velvet robes. Severus could still not feel comfortable when those red eyes focused on him, but his mask was in place since he arrived and not a twitch of an eyelash betrayed his nervousness. An older wizard followed the Dark Lord, dressed in a distinctive Eastern style of clothing. Severus Snape felt his collar tighten – foreign wizards were never a good sign, those from Karkaroff's country even less.

"Good, you are all gathered," stated Voldemort as he stopped in his designated position. Severus noticed out of a corner of his eye Lucius enter noiselessly with Bellatrix who moved forward to the Dark Lord immediately.

"I had wanted to share with you a most interesting and diverting gift from our supporters from Russia," he told them. "They were long searching to find a path into the legendary Temple of Perun and now it seems we are to share the honour of extracting it."

Excited murmurs and glowing eyes were the only response when the door opened again. Every pureblood and Slytherin knew of the legendary place. Severus could not believe his ears at first. He was positive he would had let a glass shatter on the ground were he to hold one. But since he did not the twitch of his hand was hidden in the folds of his long robes. No one could tell how this news scared him. His gaze was glued to the door where two foreign wizards came in, a woman dragged between them by her arms. Now he knew what those potions were meant for. Merlin help them all if the witch crumbled...

"Let me present to you Jasna, priestess of the old pagan gods," said Voldemort with his cruel voice, face twisted in a mask of evil when she was pushed to the floor before his feet. Her hands were bound together with rope on her back, so she could not catch herself when the momentum of the push almost propelled her to fall to the ground completely; only a firm yank of one of her guards kept her upright.

Some of the Death Eaters muttered and jeered, Bellatrix being the loudest of the ones who were overjoyed at the prospect of the sport to be had with the priestess. Snape was one of those who were silent, showing respect. All magic came from the old ways – Voldemort should have left her in peace. Messing with such powers always caught up with you one day and the results were not pretty.

The witch that was now kneeling on the floor was dressed in a dirty and tattered long dark robe that hung from her frame since it obviously belonged to a taller person. Her long dark brown hair was matted in some places – with blood and grime, noted Snape. Her right cheek was bruised as if someone slapped her. Everyone knew there would be more bruises on her body, if the blue marks on her wrists were any indication. It was clear from the slightly sunken cheeks that her treatment at the hand of her captors was everything less then stellar and it would get even worse. But still she stared into the face of the Dark Lord with clear and piercing eyes – challenging and demanding respect even when his prisoner. She was a fighter, Severus knew right away, but also a foolish witch. No one looked voluntarily into the eyes of the Dark Lord. Not when one guarded secrets.

"Well, my dear," mockingly said Voldemort when he saw her staring at him with no fear, no respect - this must have rattled the Dark Lord. "I know you can understand me perfectly," he continued, his tone most unpleasant. "I already know you would never freely reveal to us how to get to the temple, so I won't bother to ask. But you know - I am curious." Severus Snape knew what was coming next – Voldemort was like a coiled snake ready to strike. The witch was dead meat.

"Legillimens!" he hissed and the force behind the mental attack made her head jerk. She appeared to be frozen in place for a moment before her eyes narrowed in defiance as she countered the attack with all her might. Her breathing became more pronounced and it was clear the strength it took for her to resist the power of the Dark Lord was great. But then something happened they did not expect – suddenly ancient writing appeared on her skin like a shadow of a writing that had once been painted onto it in a ritual that gave her the power of a priestess. It was very faint but appeared to get pronounced with every second she fought against Voldemort. The Death Eaters began to cheer for their Lord, their lips forming words of encouragement in silence for they did not wish to break their Lord's concentration.

The Dark Lord appeared to have expected the resistance and the protective runes since his lips twisted into a triumphant smile once they appeared on her skin. The witch Jasna began cough, blood trickling from her nose because of the strain it took to resist the mental attack. The foreign wizard appeared to be worried, twirling his wand as if he contemplated interfering lest the Dark Lord kill her. Snape too could feel perspiration gather at his brow when she began to tremble. She could not break now, she could not betray the temple or the war was as good as lost. She had to remain strong, he thought.

But then Voldemort suddenly stopped the spell and she crumbled to the floor, her cheek resting on the cool tiles, blood running from her nostrils in a small stream. Her breathing was strained and she closed her eyes. Snape stepped forward and knelt beside her to check her over – he was one of the few who knew something about healing. When he got a nod from his master, he put his long-fingered hand on her brow to turn her face towards him. Just as his fingers touched her skin, a magical sting made him recoil in reflex.

The Dark Lord laughed, "I see you still have not lost your bite, priestess. Impressive how you can withstand the strongest legillimens, but I believe you would not be able to do so again once we remove your protections. Not even the gods can withstand our power," boasted the Dark Lord.

Severus saw her eyes open, hatred burning in them like fire when she turned them to the evil wizard who had just tried to rape her mind. "I too am curious," she stated, only a faint trace of an accent heard in her voice. The coldness was unmistakable – it was like an ice wind had swept through the room, "How did you fail to create for your immortal soul an immortal shell? You are still a mortal, don't delude yourself."

Silence reigned for a few moments before an enraged Bellatrix cast the first hex. Severus had barely enough time to move out of the way of a Cruciatus before it impacted with the priestess' shoulder. She let out a short cry before the faded marks flared to life with vivid brightness and the curse lost its power. She still writhed on the spot, but it was clear the intensity was greatly reduced. Bella was a master of this hex.

The angry Death Eaters stopped their cries and stared. Severus was sure it was impossible – no one could withstand the Unforgivables, but here this woman was able to manipulate one of them. It was most impressive. But would she be able to do so too when the Dark Lord would cast his own?

Loud clapping noise made Snape turn his head towards the Dark Lord who seemed amused with the events playing out before him. "Bravo," he said. "How kind of you to demonstrate the power of your people. Now, if you don't mind, I would like to make a performance of my own," said Voldemort. "Snape – the potions," he commanded and Severus had to rise up again and extract three small vials from his inner pocket. He said nothing, his eyes trained on the witch who was now recovering as Bellatrix removed the hex.

"Shall we?" asked Voldemort in his mockery of curtesies and Snape knew he was to be one of the people wo would administer the potions. He had to think quickly to decide which one caused the most pain and damage, so it would be him administring it – the will of the creator could greatly influence dark arts potions. He only hoped it would be enough to save her – he knew now se was too valuable to the Dark Lord to kill her immediately. She was a puzzle his master would attempt to solve when he would not be occupied with ruling the Ministry and fighting the Potter boy.