Just a little image I decided to make, which is very fitting the this story!
http://img96.imageshack.us/img96/8506/voldemortseverusls7.png
More spoilers! PLEASE be careful if you haven't yet read Deathly Hallows!
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Excessively Complex.
X--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------X
Severus was sitting lazily on the bed, watching Voldemort sleep. He'd been up all night worrying, and Severus was getting concerned. Voldemort had been more tired then ever recently, hardly eating, hardly sleeping, and even a brilliant strengthening potion wasn't going to deal with that sort of thing. Just guessing, Severus thought this was the first time his lover had been asleep for over three hours in a month.
There was a quiet tap on the door, and Severus hastily rose, and walked through to the main chamber, and pulled the door open. Yaxley was stood there, with Lucius and with Bellatrix just behind him. "The Dark Lord is sleeping," Severus said, softly, upon seeing them all. "I do not wish to wake him just yet." Yaxley's eyes narrowed in confusion, only Lucius and Bellatrix understood why he had the authority to wake the Dark Lord.
"Of course," Yaxley replied, vaguely. "He ordered us to report to him as soon as we returned from our attacks."
"He did," Severus replied, absently. "I shall give him the news when he awakes."
Yaxley didn't look impressed. "I will wait and tell him myself."
"Are you questioning my authority?" Severus asked, silkily, as if he was talking to a student, glaring. Yaxley glared back.
"You should return to the Ministry, Yaxley," Lucius cut in, smoothly. "You need to find out who will be replacing Pius Thicknesse in his old job."
A couple of seconds later, Yaxley broke his gaze from Severus, and strode off, back down the corridor. "Come in, you two," Severus said, a smirk forming on his lips. They seated themselves down in the sitting room, talking in hushed voices. Bellatrix was amazed with how comfortable Severus seemed in this environment, but realised after a moment that it was his home, this was where he lived. "What happened? I assume Scrimgeor is dead."
"Naturally," Lucius replied coolly. "I expect Yaxley to be made Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement. No doubt then we will have some strong laws made on the Mudblood restraining subject."
Severus nodded. "The Dark Lord will be pleased." He suddenly heard the door open behind him, and he turned around to see Voldemort walking through, buttoning up his robes. As the Dark Lord looked up, Severus saw his eyebrows raise.
"You did not wake me, Severus, I told you to wake-"
Severus held up a hand. "I have already told you of my concerns once today, you know why," he replied, an affectionate smile on his face. "Lucius and Bellatrix have good news for you."
"Indeed?" Voldemort asked, sitting down next to Severus, and draping an arm lazily around his shoulder.
"I killed Scrimgeor," Lucius said, softly, a small smirk playing on his lips.
"That was only half of the plan," Voldemort responded, his tired mood showing clearly on his face. Severus buried his head in Voldemort's shoulder, rolling his eyes. The Dark Lord's hand came to rest absently in Severus's hair, twirling random strands around his fingers before letting go of them.
"Of course... We then went to the Weasley's, the wedding was happening, as we were told, but there was no sign of Potter or his companions," Lucius continued.
"In all likelihood to be because of those on their side at the Ministry," Bellatrix added on after a moment.
"Interesting..." Voldemort murmured, looking down onto the top of Severus's head with a smile. "Where has Yaxley gone?"
"Back to the Ministry, my Lord," said Lucius.
"Let us hope he will have his promotion, now Thicknesse is the new Minister..." He gently pushed Severus back from him, and stood up, walking towards his drinks cabinet. "Let us see..." he said, opening the glass door. "Whiskey," he said, taking four glasses and pouring a large amount into each one. "In the future," he said, as he turned around, handing the glasses out. "I think I shall keep Yaxley as head of that Department. I can imagine him doing well there."
As Severus accepted his drink, he suddenly wondered what his position would be later on, if they won the war. Would the Dark Lord keep him at home, motionless and bored, or would he be assigned a job? Perhaps he would remain as Head of Hogwarts.
The Dark Lord raised his glass. "To our successes," he said, coolly. The group tapped glasses and drank, and Severus noticed that Bellatrix was the first to finish. She was becoming quite the alcoholic, Severus observed, and made a mental note to mention it to Voldemort when they were left alone once more. "I take it there were no deaths, as I ordered?" The Dark Lord continued to speak, one eyebrow raised.
"None," Lucius replied, setting his glass down on the table in front of himself and Bellatrix. "We made sure of that."
"Good," Voldemort responded shortly, leaning back, and relaxing somewhat into Severus, who found his grip around his lover tightening possessively.
"You should eat," Severus reminded him softly.
Lucius stood, beckoning to Bellatrix. "Come, Narcissa is expecting us," he said to her. He turned back to Voldemort and Severus. "My Lord, Severus, goodnight." Severus smiled gratefully at Lucius – He had already voiced his concerns of the Dark Lord to the blonde and was glad that Lucius could work out when they needed to be alone.
"I am fine, Severus," Voldemort replied when the room was their own. "You do not have to worry about me." He stood, and went to the window, looking out over the gardens.
"You know as well as I do how human energy effects your magical energy – Love – Please..." Severus stood, and walked over to his lover, putting his arms around his waist, and resting his head on Voldemort's shoulder. "I cannot handle this worry."
Voldemort made a noise in the back of his throat. "Very well, go and tell the elves we will dine together," he snapped, ungraciously.
"I have already told them I expect dinner to be ready, for two, at half past six," Severus replied, trying to keep himself calm. The Dark Lord didn't reply, he merely brushed past Severus and poured himself another drink. "I shall just let you loose all of your magical powers next time, then," Severus said coldly, as he walked past the Dark Lord and his precious drink, and stepped into their bedroom.
"What are you doing?" Voldemort called from the next room.
"Having a shower," Severus shouted back. "I am going to dinner, even if you do not wish to, and then I will probably go and see Lucius, get blind drunk, and then maybe sleep with him, or maybe even Bellatrix if she is lonely enough."
He stepped into the bathroom, and slammed the door shut, surprised that he hadn't heard an angry reply. He turned on the shower, and as the droplets of hot water encased his body his mind continued to whirl. Voldemort would never take his advice on anything, and if this lack of self care kept up, then Voldemort was just going to collapse, and probably loose all of his power. He was so worried, it had been at risk of turning into anger for days now, and finally, it had happened. The Dark Lord was not in a healthy state, as an experienced Potions Master, with a lot of knowledge on magical health, he knew things were not looking good if the Dark Lord carried on neglecting himself in favour of the Dark Order.
He hastily turned off the shower, dried himself off and pulled on a clean set of robes, and walked back into the sitting room. "Love, are you-" he began, and then noticed Voldemort unconscious on the floor. "Shit!" he murmured, stepping forwards and rolling the Dark Lord onto his back. The scarlet eyes were closed, and his pulse was faint. Panic settling over him, he realised he could not help Voldemort alone. Thinking fast, he wondered who he could call to his side for some help. He instantly narrowed down his choices to two people – Bellatrix, or Lucius. Quickly he realised that Voldemort would not wish for Bellatrix to see him in this weakened state, so he settled on Lucius, whom Severus was sure was more of a friend to Voldemort then anything.
He put two fingers on his Dark Mark, and summoned Lucius to his side, and then jumped into action with putting his lover onto the comfort of their bed. He hastily conjured a stretcher, and lifted Voldemort onto it, sending it into the bedroom. He then levitated Voldemort onto the bed, making sure he had two pillows supporting his head, as he liked. There was a tap on the door.
"Lucius, come in," Severus called, and Lucius walked in, a look of shock appearing on his face as he surveyed the scene. "We just argued... And the next thing I know, he's unconscious on the floor..."
Lucius's eyes widened. "What can we do?" he asked, sitting down on the corner of the bed.
"I..." Severus faltered. "Leave him to sleep, for now, but when he wakes up, he needs Potions, which I shall begin now."
"I shall watch over him for you," Lucius replied.
"Thank you, my friend," Severus replied, slightly distracted. "Let me know as soon as he awakens... I... I hate to make nourishing Potions, especially for the Dark Lord, Merlin knows he would live his life from Potions..." He bent over Voldemort, and placed a light kiss on his lips. "I love you," he whispered, before he turned on his heel, and headed down to the laboratory for some emergency Potions making.
Thankfully, the potions he needed were easy to make, and he was just bottling up the last one three hours later, when his mark burned. It was Lucius. He finished up, blew out any fires, and then grabbed the crate of bottles and dashed upstairs.
Voldemort was sat up, talking to Lucius, and a small feeble smile broke on his face when he saw Severus. "You're okay!" Severus said, dashing forwards, and hugging Voldemort tight. Lucius left the room, and Severus heard the clink of glass, and made the assumption that Lucius was drinking.
"I feel awful," Voldemort said, hoarsely.
"That is your own fault," Severus replied, with a smile. "Drink this," he said, pressing a vial into Voldemort's hand. "That is a nourishing Potion, this-" he passed the Dark Lord another. "Magical strengthening, though it is a little pointless if-" He stopped himself from saying if you have any magical powers left after this... "-Well. This is the last, pain reliever with nutrition."
"Where's the Scotch?" Voldemort asked, a smirk on his lips.
"You can lay of that for a couple of weeks as well," Severus snapped, helping Voldemort to lay back down again. "Do not go without food for a month again," he continued, placing a kiss on the Dark Lord's lips. "I will be in the same situation as you if you do not."
He gave Voldemort another vial. "Sleeping potion. Six hours of sleep per dosage."
"I love you, Snape," Voldemort said, swallowing the Potion, and shutting his eyes. "But I also hate you..." he continued, before falling asleep.
Severus merely smiled. Voldemort never meant those rude things he said to his lover.
X--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------X
Severus awoke to Voldemort laying asleep next to him for the first time in what seemed like an eternity. He smiled, and noticed him stirring slightly in his sleep. A few moments later, his eyes snapped open, and he groaned. Severus was happy to see he looked slightly better in appearance, but it was clear there was going to be a lot of work needed.
"How are you feeling, love?" Severus asked, sitting up and kissing the Dark Lord on his forehead.
"Terrible," Voldemort murmured, his voice still croaky. "Can I have a drink? I don't think I can stand..." He sat up with some difficulty as Severus conjured him a glass of water. "Thanks," he murmured, taking a sip, and laying back down.
"Hungry?"
Voldemort grunted, shutting his eyes. "No," he replied with a sigh.
"Well, you need to eat anyway."
"Go away, Severus."
Severus sighed.
X--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------X
Severus was happy enough with Voldemort's health to let him out of bed a few days later. He was eating without being forced to, and sleeping several hours every night.
"No magic yet though," Severus warned.
"You mentioned," Voldemort replied irritably as he buttoned up his robes. "Stop repeating yourself."
"I have permission to be worried," Severus snapped.
"I'm calling that meeting tomorrow, by the way," Voldemort said, ignoring the last comment. He headed into the next room, followed hastily by his lover. The Dark Lord was now drinking scotch.
"Fine," Severus replied sadly, going for the drinks himself. "Though I expect you'll regret it."
X--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------X
Severus was seated on the right side of Voldemort at the meeting table, Lucius reinstated in his seat to the Dark Lord's left, Bellatrix next to Severus. He shifted uncomfortably. Voldemort's fingers were drumming impatiently on the table, sat back, a scowl clear on his face. They were waiting on one member, who was over fifteen minutes late.
The table was tense, no one was speaking. Lucius's eyes fixed themselves onto Severus's every minute or two, a nervous stare, as if he thought he was going to be removed from favour if Yaxley didn't show up. Uneasy glances spread from each person to another, along the table, and then back down. Every so often, there was a small flick of the eyes towards Voldemort, but it didn't last for long, as every member was terrified it would somehow be their fault. Severus was the only one brave enough to look at the Dark Lord for long enough to maintain eye contact, but Severus turned away before his mind could be penetrated.
The Dark Lord looked as if he was about to speak, when the double doors at the end of the room opened, and Yaxley strode in as if nothing was wrong.
"You are late, Yaxley," Voldemort hissed, as a greeting.
Yaxley bowed deeply. "My Lord-" he said, with an arrogance that Severus hated instantly. "I have excellent news."
Severus kicked Voldemort lightly under the table, as if telling him that a punishment was needed. Voldemort ignored the gesture, and continued, his eyes fixed firmly on Yaxley. "Indeed, but you are late, nonetheless."
Yaxley's concern became obvious suddenly. His eyes widened, and he paled a few shades. "I could not leave, Master… I - I… My Lord, please allow me to explain first-"
The silence seemed to deepen. Every man and woman around the table was holding their breath, wondering what was going to happen next. Finally, after what seemed an eternity, Voldemort spoke. "Very well… Sit down, Yaxley…" He beckoned to the only empty seat next to Dolohov, and Yaxley sat down. "So?"
"My Lord, we were just finalising the new Mudblood laws, I could not leave half way through when my mark burned- I… Dolores Umbridge is head of it, Head of the Muggle Born Registration Commission-" Yaxley said, his voice quivering in some places as he spoke. "Our new laws mean that all Muggle Born's have to register with the Ministry - It means we will be able to send a good number of them away, perhaps even to Azkaban, if they do not register… and are caught…"
Voldemort looked at him thoughtfully, for a moment, before nodding. "Excellent," he said, softly.
"However, my Lord," Yaxley continued, nervously. One of Voldemort's eyebrows shot upwards. Severus cringed. "I have not yet been asked to be one of the interrogators..." Severus could feel the Dark Lord reaching for his wand in his robes under the table. He was suddenly very pleased with himself for removing it carefully from the Dark Lord's pocket before they had left their rooms for the meeting. There was no way the Voldemort could do magic now, not for another few days at least. The effort of it could very easily send him further back to hardly being able to move, and Severus was not risking that, no matter what Voldemort said. Severus kept his eyes fixed firmly on Yaxley as he shivered at the Dark Lord's expression, unaware for the moment that the fury was no longer directed at him.
Voldemort turned his head, and glared heatedly at Severus, who merely looked coolly back. "Snape..." Voldemort said warningly, but Severus rose an eyebrow, as if asking Voldemort what he was going to do about it. Voldemort decided to change tactics. "Yaxley has disappointed me," he hissed.
"Of course," Severus responded, aiming his wand at Yaxley. "Crucio," he murmured, holding it until the Dark Lord held up his hand. Severus stopped, immeadiatly.
"Your orders were to get on to the committee... You know this, Yaxley... Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement is not enough to secure that they are sent away... What must I do, Yaxley... What must I do to ensure that this world is pure... To ensure that the Mudbloods are driven out?" Voldemort drawled, eyes fixed mostly on the ceiling, disappointment showing in the tone of his voice.
"My Lord... I will... I will get onto the committee..." Yaxley said, too loudly. He was obviously terrified. "I... I am sorry to have disappointed you, my Lord..."
"However, you have done well to become Head of such a high department... Such an important department... You have Lord Voldemort's gratitude for that, for allowing him this power..." Voldemort continued. "For this you will be rewarded..."
"Thank you, my Lord... Thank you..." Yaxley murmured, bowing his head. There were droplets of sweat on his brow.
"Severus... The Carrow's will be your Deputies at Hogwarts," Voldemort continued, looking to his lover for a moment. Severus nodded. "Alecto, Amycus, from what I have heard... I believe there is a need for more discipline in the school... There will be a revision of the rules at Hogwarts... Punishments will be more severe."
Severus wondered why Voldemort hadn't mentioned this to him previously, and then realised it was probably because the Dark Lord knew Severus wouldn't approve. Severus turned his head fully towards Voldemort, and raised an eyebrow. "I agree, my Lord" he said, automatically, a smirk forming on his lips.
"I know," Voldemort responded shortly, and then looked back around the table, his eyes narrowed. "Lucius, I trust your son is to return to the school?" he asked.
"Of course, my Lord," Lucius drawled. "If Severus is to be Headmaster, there should be no problem with him returning..."
"Indeed," Voldemort responded, as he stood up and began walking around the table, pacing, slowly, deathly as if he was the Grim Reaper. "Harry Potter has thwarted me once more... Once again due to his luck, and timing... Through no personal skill of his own..." He continued walking, reaching the end of the table now, ghosting his hand along the back of Rookwood's shoulder, causing an involuntary shudder from the man. Severus watched Voldemort through narrowed eyes. "So. I have come to a decision, my loyal followers... Harry Potter will be lured to Hogwarts. He will not return... This is incontrovertible as you all should be aware..." The Dark Lord was reaching the middle of the right side of the table now, and Severus made eye contact with his lover. "We will attack. Our numbers will be greater then the students of Hogwarts and teachers, the ones who will fight..."
"And we will do this even if Harry Potter is dead before the end of the year?" Severus asked, softly.
Voldemort raised an eyebrow. "Yes," he replied shortly.
"Even though Hogwarts is already ours?" Severus continued.
"Hogwarts is not ours completely... My plan is to remove the House system from Hogwarts, and the Hogwarts emblem will become Salazar Slytherin's... It will be my own, Severus."
Severus nodded. "Yes, my Lord," he replied quietly.
Voldemort continued his pacing. He reached Bellatrix, and rested his hands on her shoulders, rubbing gently. "They cannot hope to beat us..." Bellatrix's breathing had increased by a huge amount, her eyes were fluttering closed every few seconds in pleasure. Severus smirked. "Students will be driven out of Hogwarts in fear. I except there to be fewer numbers this year..." He paused, letting go of Bellatrix, and sitting back down again, his voice changing into a sharper tone as he spoke. "Argyle," he said, his gaze snapping to a man on Yaxley's left. "As you are in control of the Prophet, I want a story in there... Speculation that Harry Potter killed Dumbledore. I want the whole nation to be in upheaval over whether Harry Potter can be trusted or not. Get Rita Skeeter to do it, that woman can turn anything into poison..."
"Y... Yes, my Lord-" Argyle replied hastily, looking relieved that he had not done anything wrong.
"Things remain the same," Voldemort said, a more final tone in his voice this time. "If there is any sign of Potter anywhere, use the Dark Mark... I shall come and destroy him myself. Do not disoblige me unless you are certain it is him. You may leave." He sat back in his chair, watching, carefully, as his followers left the room. Only Severus remained. Slowly, he reached into his pocket, and pulled out Voldemort's wand, and set it on the table in front of him.
"I could not have you doing magic," Severus murmured.
"I know. I would have forgotten myself and used it," Voldemort replied. "You are in agreement of my plans?"
"Of course," Severus replied. "Term begins soon."
"It is exciting I must say," Voldemort said, with a smile.
"For you, perhaps," Severus muttered.
"Things are to be different this year, Sev," Voldemort murmured, leaning forward and kissing his lover lightly on the end of his nose. "I shall see you every day. The Headmaster of Hogwarts alone can change the wards, you can remove enough of the protection for one person to get through at a certain point, and I can fly in, straight into your chambers. What do you say? I can be in your bed... Naked... Awaiting your return from work."
Severus smiled. "Of course... But I shall be wanting to sleep at home, as well, my love," he said. "How are you feeling, anyway?"
"No need to fuss," Voldemort remarked, sitting back comfortably. "I am perfectly well."
"You will eat and sleep while I am away, won't you," Severus asked him. "Promise me..."
"I promise," Voldemort replied. "But you are being stupid. Nothing is going to happen now, I know that I need to look after myself."
"Thank you..." Severus replied, leaning closer to him, and kissing him on the lips.
"You know... Seeing you hurting Yaxley like that really turned me on... Let's go upstairs." He smirked at Severus, who rolled his eyes. The Dark Lord really was a sick man.