Severus shut the front doors of the school with a loud, but all the same comfortable thud. He rested his head against it, and let out a deep long sigh. What a year it had been, and he was glad it was now over for two months. The last of the students had just left, and he would no longer have to be cursed with Gryfindor's, Hufflepuff's, Ravenclaw's and… Slytherin's.
He was still cursed with the Slytherin's, he thought, about his Master; the heir of Slytherin. And, he supposed it was hardly a curse to be with the Dark Lord, more of a blessing that he was indeed still alive and kicking. Severus smirked to himself, walked away from the doors and towards the dungeons to pack his bags and escape, when he heard his name being called from the Marble Staircase. Dumbledore. Now he'd be stuck here for hours…
"Where are you going this holiday, then Severus?" the old man asked upon reaching his Potions Master.
Severus smiled slightly, he really was glad to be going and though Dumbledore was holding him up, he didn't mind as much as he should. He was going to be sleeping in the Dark Lord's bed for the next two months. "I am going first to my home in Scotland and then I will probably be forced to stay at the Dark Lord's abode for the rest of the holidays, if I can call it that."
Dumbledore nodded gravely. "You know the location of the Order's Headquarters', Severus, and I beg you to be civil to Sirius for all of our sakes."
Severus bowed his head slightly. "As long as he is civil to me, I will be. I will report to you as often as I can, do not write to me, I don't want to be caught out." He smiled once more at Dumbledore, who nodded in return.
"Then I will wish you good luck." Dumbledore turned and went into the Great Hall, his footsteps tapping along the floor. The doors shut, and Severus couldn't help himself. He ran down to the dungeons to pack his clothes.
x----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------x
When Snape appeared at Voldemort's Manor, the entire house was in darkness, and was quiet and still. He mounted the stairs, and wandered along the unusually soundless corridors until he reached his Master's rooms. He wasn't sure whether to knock, what if he had company with him? But then he realised, Severus was the only one that had been in there, apart from perhaps Lucius or the Lestrange's. He boldly pushed on the door, and there, standing in front of him was the Dark Lord, clad in his long, thick black cloak. He had his back to Severus, and was looking out of the window.
"I saw you arrive," Voldemort said, and turned around. Severus realised that there wasn't anything underneath the cloak Voldemort had gathered around his body.
"The Order has been reborn," said Severus, dumping his bag next to the bed. He turned around, surprised at the Dark Lord's lack of angry comment.
"I haven't seen you for three weeks, Snape, I do not care about the fact the Order has been reborn at this moment." Voldemort seemed to glide across the room towards Severus, and with one flick of the Dark Lord's wand, Severus's clothes removed themselves from his body and folded themselves neatly on the chair in the corner.
"I am sorry for not coming sooner," Severus replied, as though pretending he wasn't standing there naked in front of the Dark Lord. Voldemort grunted, and pushed Severus backwards onto the bed, removing his cloak. Severus realised he had been very right at his previous assumption, there was nothing underneath the cloak. "You're very horny, aren't you," Severus muttered unexpectedly.
Voldemort hid his smirk, and reached out, and slapped Severus lightly on the cheek. "My Lord," he chided, his eyes somewhat flashing. Severus looked up, not at all sure if Voldemort was as serious as he looked.
He replied cautiously. "My love," he said very quietly, though Voldemort still heard him.
The Dark Lord wasn't in the mood for Severus's wit. He rarely was, and Severus had to learn to treasure those bliss-filled moments while they lasted. "These are the moments when I want to kill you, you impudent brat," Voldemort growled into his lovers ear, the sound vibrating around his temple and neck. He moaned slightly.
"Take me before you kill me," he begged the Dark Lord. Voldemort smirked; he had every intention of taking the Potions Master right there and then.
Later, they were lying under the covers of the bed panting for breath, watching the afternoon sky darken into blackness. Voldemort was the first to come back into reality; he turned over onto his side to look at the exhausted Severus, with his surrogate smile and his long hair over one shoulder. Severus recovered a short moment after, and rolled over so his body was close to Voldemort's, in a comforting yet cold way.
"Who do you fuck when I am not here?" Severus asked abruptly. Truthfully, he'd been thinking and wondering if the Dark Lord did, and more importantly, who it was so he could see to them having a tragic accident.
"What makes you think that I do?" Voldemort replied coldly, his eyes on Severus, refusing to give anything away in his expression.
Severus shrugged lightly. "I was just curious, forgive me for assuming Master," he replied, wishing he had kept silent on the matter.
There was an uneasy silence in the room for a long while, until Voldemort spoke again. "I considered it, but then I did not know who. No one was as good a prospect as you, Severus, and I decided to wait for your return."
Severus didn't speak, but shifted his body around a bit more, and put one arm around Voldemort's body, hugging him tightly. "It's unbelievable that we have hardly seen each other for fourteen years, I almost feel as if I don't know you like I used to," said Severus thoughtfully. Voldemort nodded gently.
"We've got two whole months together, Severus, it will go slowly for us both, soon everything will be just the same as in the old days," Voldemort responded. "I shall be calling a gathering tonight Severus, and I will be relying on you to gain your old friends amongst the ranks, Lucius Malfoy, the Lestrange's when they break out of Azkaban, Avery and Macnair. They were your closest friends, if I remember correctly."
Severus shook his head. "You were my closest friend," he said quietly. Voldemort leant forwards and kissed Severus on the lips.
"Silence," he whispered, and crawled back on top of Severus for another go. Severus willingly submitted… after all, his Master's punishments hurt…
x------------------------------------------------------------------------------------x
At midnight Severus followed his Master down to the Throne room where the gathering would be called too. Voldemort was going to have it held in the same graveyard where he had returned to his body, but Severus had persuaded him otherwise, with the excuse of the weather, and that Dumbledore was sure to have put Aurors around the area. No Auror would be able to get into the Dark Lord's home, surely that was safest?
Through his Death Eater mask, Severus could see Voldemort turn and sit down. He felt his mark burn, but kept his eyes straight ahead, and his mouth normal. He never showed any weakness in front of the Dark Lord or his Death Eaters. Slowly, the remaining followers appeared in the room, in their own exact places.
"Welcome back, my friends and loyal followers. We have not yet discussed what my plans are for the future, I believe. I have several tasks that must be carried out to perfection; otherwise we will be done for. Every one of you will rot in Azkaban, if it is not," Voldemort began. The Death Eater's were afraid, Severus could tell. He fixed his eyes back on his Master, wishing he could be laid in his arms once more.
"It is very pleasing that the Ministry are sweetly ignoring my return to power, because it means we can work quietly without them ever knowing. Lucius," Voldemort said, looking over to the particular Malfoy, who stepped forwards. "Your chance to prove to me your loyalties once more, my friend, I believe you used to be very close with the Minister?"
Lucius nodded. "I used to be my Lord; I admit that ever since I was removed from the board of Governor's at Hogwarts, I have lost touch with Fudge. However, my wife and I are holding our anniversary party in a few weeks; I could invite the Minister and his wife and get back into his circle."
"Excellent Lucius, you will do that." Lucius bowed and stepped back. "Macnair, I also have a task for you."
Macnair stepped forwards. The last time Severus had him had been a year ago, at Hogwarts, when that oafs Hippogriff had been nearly executed. At least, that was the first time he'd heard from a Death Eater for years. It had made him feel slightly happier, even if Sirius Black had escaped; no doubt on the Hippogriff.
"I want you to go North with a few other Death Eaters, to make peace with the giants. There is no doubt that Dumbledore will send someone to make a pact with them, we must get there first." Severus realised right away who would be going. He stepped forwards and spoke.
"My Lord, Dumbledore has sent Hagrid and Madame Maxime, the Headmistress from Beauxbaton School in France, to the Giants," he said softly. Voldemort's attention moved to Severus for a moment.
"Why did you not tell me of this earlier?" Voldemort asked, his eyes flashing dangerously.
Severus was about to say, 'because you wanted to fuck', but then he realised he would probably be killed on the spot. "It slipped my mind, my Lord, with the excitements of my return." he said quietly, and stepped back. Severus could have sword he had heard a snort of laughter from Lucius's direction, but when he looked, Lucius's face was completely straight under his half mask. Voldemort glared at Severus for a moment, who found himself getting quite turned on by all this attention. The attention was annoyingly turned back to Macnair.
"You will leave in two days, Macnair," Voldemort ordered. Macnair looked slightly abashed, but bowed and stepped back once more. "Now, the next thing that must be brought to attention is the House of the Prophecy. I believe that is where we left off last time, before I went to fulfil the damned thing." He stood up, and began his normal pacing around the circle, making the person he walks past all shaky. It never did bother Severus, who always wanted to reach out and touch those flowing robes. "Now, we will get to that Prophecy somehow, no matter what it takes, find out it's meaning and destroy it, without the Ministry knowing. I do not want them to realise Dumbledore is right until an appropriate time."
Various people nodded in agreement. Voldemort continued to speak. "We will continue on top secrecy, which is why, if anyone among you is even suspected with good evidence of spying on me, you will be killed." Voldemort's eyes were fixed on Severus, who could have cringed. "Anyone."
Severus shook his head slightly; he was never going to betray his Master, his love and his life. Not for anything. He would never even consider that path, especially since he wanted to be bonded to the Dark Lord. He was relieved when the meeting was over and they were free to go. He was half way through bowing when Voldemort called out one more order of the evening;
"Severus, stay."
Severus knew what was going to happen next. He straightened up, and walked towards Voldemort, who grabbed his wrists tightly, looking at the Potions Master. "How could you forget to tell me something that important?" he snapped.
Snape looked down at Voldemort. "I cannot believe you doubt me!" he said softly, though making sure Voldemort knew how hurt he was by what he had said. Voldemort stood up, towering over Severus, who took a step backwards in shock at this sudden movement.
"I only doubt you when I have a reason too," he replied stonily. "And how dare you speak to me like that, Severus? I allow you to in the bedroom because there we are different people, here, I am your master." His wrists were released, and Voldemort sat back down, leaving Severus to feel very confused. "Now, while we are talking about official business, you can tell me where the Order's Headquarters' are."
"The Black's old house, 12 Grimmauld Place," Severus replied in a sulky voice. "You can only see it if you have been told where it is by Dumbledore."
"Then you shall have to encourage him to change the secret keeper to someone more… willing." Voldemort smirked, and stood up once more. "I did not mean all that I said, Severus; I always listen to what you say, even if it is terribly rude."
Severus couldn't help to smile. He knew that would be the closest he'd get to an apology. He briefly kissed his Master on the lips, and stepped back from him once more. "I could be a lot more ruder…" He muttered. Voldemort, now smiling playfully, drew one finger down Severus's chest, and pushed him backwards so he hit the wall.
"You have been very bad though, Severus," Voldemort purred into the Potion Master's ear. Severus let out a small groan at Voldemort's voice vibrating right next to his ear.
"I know and I am glad," Snape replied, as he was pinned beneath the Dark Lord's body. "I promise to be bad for the next two months…" Severus said breathlessly, after a bout of long kisses.
Voldemort chuckled. "As long as it makes me want you," he replied in a low voice, tickling Severus's ear again.
"I have always been good at that," was his quiet reply. "Oh, Voldemort, promise you will never leave me again…"
The Dark Lord merely smirked at Severus. "I will not make a promise that is so hard to keep, Severus," he said, running his fingers through Severus's soft hair. "We need to break the ten out of Azkaban as soon as possible. Before Christmas."
"Voldemort, it is June. Is it really going to take seven months to do it?" Severus asked smugly, his lip curling.
Voldemort tugged at Severus's hair in even more smugness. "My dearest Severus, if I was to go to Azkaban this early in the year, where it is fresh in their minds that Harry Potter thinks I have returned, then they will start to believe him. If we wait until Christmas, they will blame someone else." Voldemort raised an eyebrow at the Potions Master. "Surely that would be far more appropriate."
Severus contemplated for a moment, and then nodded. "I agree."
"I knew you would," Voldemort replied, pinning Severus's hands to the wall with his own. "I want you to go to the Order tomorrow, or whenever they have a meeting-"
"-It's tomorrow."
"- Good - and tell them that I am not assuming any plans at the moment, apart from breaking the ten that are in Azkaban out and, as they will know, that I will be attempting to find the Prophecy," Voldemort said.
"How will they know?" Severus asked sharply.
"Severus, what is wrong with you? It is obvious to even them that I will want to find the bloody Prophecy," Voldemort snapped, and then kissed Severus on the lips very passionately.
Severus responded by struggling to move his hands, (Whilst kissing back, naturally) but Voldemort; though was very busy with his passionate kissing, was still stronger. He pulled back for a moment, tugging on the Potion Master's lip. "You need to learn, again, that I am always better then you." Voldemort smirked, and continued with his actions. Severus complied with the greatest pleasure…