As the excited students of Hogwarts flooded through the front doors of the school, Severus Snape sat at the top table in the great hall filled with dread, over what would happen over the next year. Would he survive?
He cast a glance to the other end of the table, looking at the newest teacher that had stolen, once again, his position as Defence Against the Dark Art's professor. He felt a rush of dislike for the frumpish woman, yet a slight tinge of fear as well. She had been clearly planted in the school to spy on Dumbledore and his teachers, and what went on at Hogwarts, which put him in even greater jeopardy.
Severus picked out Potter and his cronies as the students entered the hall, somewhat angry that he was still alive, and he also spotted Draco Malfoy, who was looking exceedingly pleased with himself. Severus briefly caught the young Malfoy's gaze, and gave him the slightest of nods. No doubt Lucius will have told his son everything to do with the Death Eaters. Draco would soon be old enough, and mature enough to take on the responsibilities of becoming a Death Eater, and that could either be a good thing or a bad thing for him.
The one and only thing Severus knew was that this was going to be a long, long year.
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Master,
I beg of you to summon me soon, I fear I may go mad if I do not see you. Potter is his usual obnoxious self, Lucius's son is doing well, as predicted. There is a new teacher here at Hogwarts, Dolores Umbridge. She is from the Ministry of Magic, her position close to the Ministers. Dumbledore thinks she has been sent to spy on him, and his teachers, so now I have a second circle to worry about.
Think of a reason soon, my love, my lord.
Severus.
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Severus,
I cannot summon you now, and you know it. I will see you at Christmas.
Keep close to Umbridge. Make her trust you, Dumbledore will tell you to do the same in time, no doubt.
LV.
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Severus,
Tonight. Midnight.
L.V
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"Albus, the Dark Lord wishes to see me tonight," Severus said softly into the older mans ear as they ate, seated on the top table. Umbridge thankfully wasn't around.
"You must go," Albus replied quietly, not looking up. His face was serious, and his eyes weren't twinkling.
"I intend to," Severus replied. "I might not be back until the morning, same as ever. He's becoming more restless, he can stay awake all night if he has too, never a consideration for his servants." Well, that was half true at least, Voldemort as able to stay awake all night for a good enough reason, that reason being Severus.
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Severus entered the Dark Lord's private rooms with great relief to find them occupied with only Lucius and Voldemort, both seated in arm chairs by the fire. It was freezing weather, which made this hardly surprising. Voldemort stood up as soon as he saw it was Severus, and wrapped his arms the man as soon as he was close enough to.
"You are early," Voldemort muttered, and then without waiting for an answer, kissed Severus softly on the lips.
"I had nothing else to be doing," Severus replied. He turned to look at Lucius, with a smile. He felt the Dark Lord's hand wrap possessively around his waist. "Hello Lucius," he said, smiling in the direction of the blonde.
"Severus, I was keeping our Master company until you arrived, which was sooner then we had anticipated. I take my leave." With a smirk, Lucius stood, bowed, and left the room, for which Severus was grateful for.
Severus turned back to face Voldemort, and kissed him again. "How are you?" he asked, his eyes searching his Masters face to check for any change.
"Old," Voldemort replied. "And tired." The Dark Lord sighed, and sat back down, leaving Severus to wonder what was wrong. "It will improve once I have some half clever and sensible followers out of Azkaban… Something which can not happen until at least Christmas."
"Why did you not call me sooner?" Severus snapped, as he walked over to Voldemort and knelt at his feet. "I would have helped."
"You being here now is enough," Voldemort said, smiling fondly down at his Severus. The younger man leant his head on the Dark Lord's knee.
"I take it I am not here officially." There was silence for a moment.
"No. But you can tell Dumbledore we're going for the Prophecy around Christmas time." Severus nodded, it meant that Dumbledore would be concentrating on making sure the Ministry was protected, and Azkaban would be open for less protection, especially since the Dementer's had abandoned it.
"And you will be getting the Lestrange's and company out?"
Voldemort smiled. "Yes. And I want to tell you now I am going to be looking after Bella when she gets out, I do not want you thinking I am going to go with her or something."
Severus rolled his eyes, thankful Voldemort couldn't actually see him do it. "I know. Voldemort, you are gay, and going to stay that way, I hope."
Voldemort laughed suddenly. "How did I know you'd make me slightly happier?" His fingers slid into Severus's hair, gently caressing his scalp. Severus felt himself relax into Voldemort's legs, and Voldemort even found the silky quality of the man's hair relaxing. "We will meet again at Christmas," Voldemort whispered. "I promise."
Severus hoped he would keep his promise.
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Severus awoke on Christmas Day to see a sleepy Voldemort half on top of him, and half on the bed, with strong arms around him. Severus smiled too himself, and kissed Voldemort softly on the top of his head.
"Morning," Voldemort muttered into Severus's neck.
"Merry Christmas," Severus replied quietly.
Voldemort snorted. "Half right, it's not merry."
Severus smiled. "You're always so negative."
Voldemort moved his head back, and kissed Severus on the lips very quickly. "I know." He kissed Severus again, but increasing the passion, and the amount of tongue.
"Can we not just stay in bed all day?" Severus asked when they finally pulled apart from each other.
"No, the wine I bought was expensive, and we have to drink it tonight." The Dark Lord stretched lazily, yawned, and then rolled off Severus. "Besides, you will not get your present." Severus rolled his eyes. "Severus Snape, don't look at me like that," Voldemort snapped, sitting up and yawning again. "I want to talk to you about the Azkaban breakout anyway."
Severus groaned. "Voldemort, it is Christmas Day, can we not just have one day off?" he asked, all caution to his voice gone. He had spent a long time with Voldemort recently and he wasn't afraid of him.
Voldemort stopped his sigh. "I want you to write to Dumbledore and tell him the plan is for two weeks after New Year," he said softly, wondering how long it would take for Severus to pick up on what he'd said. It didn't take long.
"But… You said it was going to be a week after New Year…" Severus said, confused. Sometimes he didn't understand where the Dark Lord was coming from until after it had worked.
"Severus. Use your brain." The Dark Lord sighed this time, annoyed. "I am hardly going to tell Dumbledore the day we are really going to go to Azkaban. Then when it really happens to can be at Hogwarts and not have any idea what's happened until you're summoned when they're all out." Voldemort softened slightly, and leant over and kissed Severus.
"I shall write to him later," Severus said grudgingly, and slipped out of the bed. "But if it goes wrong do not blame me."
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Severus was in the Manor's Potions Laboratory making Voldemort's monthly magical strengthening potion, when he was disturbed by the Dark Lord bursting in, followed by Lucius and several other Death Eaters. "Severus," he said brightly. Severus quickly bowed to Voldemort, wondering why he had been disturbed. Voldemort normally knew never to disturb Severus in the Potions Laboratory when he was busy brewing potions unless it was for something important.
"My Lord," he said warily. "How may I be of service?" He turned back to the potion, added in the bats wings he had been carefully slicing, and then stirred twice in each direction, before turning back to the Dark Lord.
"I told you about the watch I had in place, did I not?" Voldemort said excitedly, as if Severus was supposed to guess what he was talking about, or even know.
"I take it you mean at the Ministry," Severus said softly, trying to hide his smile.
"By my beautiful pet Nagini," Voldemort snapped. "Pay attention." Severus then noticed the huge black snake that was on the floor next to the Dark Lord, staring up at Severus with a look of pure jealously in it's eyes. Severus repressed his shudder. "Nagini found Arthur Weasley outside of the Department of Mystery's wearing an invisibility cloak and decided to have herself a little fun." Voldemort was gleeful, happy, and altogether frightening. Severus could never understand the man's blood lust, and now it seemed that he wished he had been the one to attack the Weasley. "It is doubtful that he will live."
Severus glanced over Voldemort's shoulder to Lucius who raised an eyebrow with a bit of a shrug. "Wonderful news my Lord," Severus said softly.
Voldemort chuckled, and walked a bit closer to Severus so that they were practically touching. It was a habit the Dark Lord always kept so he could get close to his lover without arousing any suspicion. He did it with all the Death Eaters when they were having a one to one outside the meeting room. "How is the potion coming along?" he asked, glancing at the mess that his Laboratory now was. Severus never kept things clean whilst he was cooking.
"One more ingredient my Lord," Severus started, opening a cupboard and pulling down it's only content, a very small vial filled with a dark red liquid that was the Dark Lord's precious blood. "Ten more minutes of brewing, I shall add this and then it will be ready."
"Good. You may come up to my rooms with it when you are finished." Voldemort turned on his heel and walked out of the room, followed by the rest of them.
Severus resisted watching the Dark Lord's behind as he left the room.
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As he walked along the corridor to the Dark Lord's study, Severus fumed silently to himself, hardly noticing as frightened Death Eaters scampered out of his way. He was carrying the newspaper and had apparated over to the Manor as soon as he'd finished his last class.
He yanked open the door and stormed in, slamming the paper onto the desk, face up reading:
"MASS BREAKOUT FROM AZKABAN MINISTRY FEARS BLACK IS 'RALLYING POINT' FOR OLD DEATH EATERS"
With pictures of several of the more infamous Death Eaters making the front page.
The Dark Lord looked up in surprise. "What?" he snapped. "Do you not know to knock?"
"Do not start that on me Voldemort, I am not interested. You did not tell me about this," Severus said quietly, shutting the door, and then sitting himself down in front of the desk. He was furious.
"I told you all about the Azkaban breakout, what are you talking about?" Voldemort asked, genuinely confused.
Severus reached for the paper and turned it around, revealing a new headliner.
"TRAGIC DEMISE OF MINISTRY WORKER"
"That is what I am talking about Voldemort, I do not care about Bellatrix being finally out for the kill again."
Voldemort looked down at the headline, read the story, and then looked up. "So it did work…" he said thoughtfully. "We just sent him the plant to kill him, he knew to much. Do I have to tell you everything, Snape?" said Voldemort in a hiss. Severus was silent. He didn't know what to say. "Severus?" His voice was softer.
"The Order are on my back for not warning them," Severus said softly. "Never mind that. It does not matter I suppose." He looked up at Voldemort. "When are the Azkaban lot coming here then?"
"They are just getting cleaned up, according to Malfoy…" There was a knock on the door. Dutifully, Severus got up and opened it, and scowled. "It is Bellatrix," he said, ignoring the woman in front of him and looked past the door at Voldemort, who stood up right away. "Let her in then," he said, making a face at Severus, as if telling him to grow up.
Bellatrix walked in with an air of haughtiness, until she saw her beloved Master standing in front of her. She fell to her knees and kissed the hem of his robes, over and over. "Bella…" Voldemort said, and pulled her gently up. "You have served me well these last fourteen years. You kept your promise to me and you did not betray me. In your time of need, I will not betray you." He spoke so nicely Severus thought that there was something going on between them anyway. "I will reward you and your husband, ("So he does remember the husband then," Severus thought, amused for a second.) beyond your wildest dreams, as I promised you fifteen years ago."
Severus was almost sick at her answer. "Oh… Master…" She was breathing hard. "My reward is seeing you again, Master," she said so sincerely she was almost weeping.
"Then you shall come and dine with me tonight in my private rooms," Voldemort said, ignoring Severus completely.
Snape cut in quickly. "I shall be going back to Hogwarts then my Lord," he said deliberately bitterly. The Dark Lord finally looked at him.
"You will stay for dinner and for tonight. I have things to discuss with you." There was no room for argument. The Dark Lord turned back to Bellatrix. "Bella, go and put on one of your nice dresses and meet us in my dining room with your husband at seven o clock." Bellatrix smiled and practically ran out of the room.
After a moment of silence, Voldemort turned around and smiled at me. "You look very sexy angry Severus. I want you to be angry more often." Severus stepped up to Voldemort, and smiled, feeling himself calm right now instantly.
"For you…" He reached out and touched the sleeve of the older mans robe, feeling it. The material was very soft and floaty, very beautiful. Voldemort tilted back Severus's chin, and held his hand there.
"I wish I could be bonded to you right now and feel what you feel," Voldemort said suddenly, and very softly. "Do you think that is love?"
Severus's eyes flickered with hope for a second, and then they dulled. "No. If it was love you would already feel what I feel."
Voldemort leant closer and kissed Severus passionately on the lips, and for a while neither man spoke. "Someday," Voldemort whispered when they were finished.
"How do you feel when I tell you I love you?" Severus murmured, hoping for a bright and uplifting answer, since he was feeling slightly down at that moment.
Voldemort didn't speak for a moment, he just watched Severus fidget, deep in concentration. "Cold," he said after a while. "Cold and unfeeling. Wishing that you did not, yet hating the feeling of you hating me. So cold on the outside, and at the same time heated inside, passion filled and lusty, wishing you were completely mine." Voldemort put an arm around Severus's waist, possessively. "You will be completely mine when Dumbledore is dead."
Severus nodded. "If you were to ask me," he said decisively. "That would be love." He paused. "Horrible thing, is it not?" he added on sarcastically with a look of loathing.
The Dark Lord simply laughed. "I shall let you know in bed tonight then Severus if anything has changed. It's been a while."