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"We have been awfully rude, Severus," Voldemort announced, as they entered the dungeons in the cellar of the Manor. Severus could see his former student huddled in a ball in the far, right hand corner of the room. There was a single candle burning in the room, creating shadows from the few objects that were contained, those being an exceptionally uncomfortable looking metal bed, with manacles attached to each corner, covered in straw for what would have been a mattress, with a thin blanket for a duvet, one small, metal bowl which Severus assumed was for food and water. There was a rude bucket in the corner for human waste, and a large, steel cupboard, which Severus knew only too well what it contained. The contents were unmentionable to such a young girl.

"Have we, now?" Severus replied, with the air of talking to only a friend, not a powerful Master. Ginny looked up, and a distinct look of fear crossed her dirty face.

"What do you want?" she whispered, and Severus could see her visibly shaking.

Voldemort ignored her, but continued into the cell, beckoning to Severus to shut the door. He sat on the bed, and didn't speak until Severus had done as he was told, and was seated next to him. "Ginevra, it's been an awfully long time since we last spoke," Voldemort said, his tone perfectly pleasant. "And I'm afraid that our last scene together ended rather abruptly."

"I didn't notice," Ginny snapped, and Severus could see that all to well know Weasley spirit coming through her eyes, and into her tone. For a moment, she looked like a younger, prettier version of Molly.

"No, I suppose you were a little tired at the time..." Voldemort's smile was imperturbable, but Severus knew it all too well. Ginny Weasley was on a thin line. "I owe a lot to you though, Ginny." Voldemort stood up, and walked towards her, and crouched down in front of her. One hand moved slowly forwards, into her hair, stroking in what seemed like a loving caress. Ginny winced visibly, but didn't dare pull away. "I was so close to having my life back, that day, down in the Chamber of Secrets. I am sure you know precisely what I speak of." Boldly, Ginny looked into his eyes, but she refused to make any sound. Voldemort continued to stroke her hair. "And then Potter..."

And now, Voldemort had finally got a reaction from her. Ginny's eyes filled with tears, and spilled over the edge, at the mention of Harry Potter's name. "Oh... Do you love him, sweetheart?" Voldemort asked, his tone so kind, so caring, so loving, Severus wondered if he really did care. Ginny was nodding now, nodding forcefully, she seemed to be forgetting who she was talking to. "Is Harry the man of your dreams still, my sweet?"

Ginny fell forwards, her head resting on her knees, her shoulders shaking as the tears flowed. Voldemort put his arms around her in a fatherly way, still stroking her hair, but looked over his shoulder triumphantly at Severus. "H... He br... broke up with me..." Ginny gasped, her speech muffled by her knees. She looked up at Voldemort, tears making tracks through her filthy face.

"Boys at that age hardly know what they want, sweetheart... You girls grow up so much faster these days..." Voldemort slowly leant forwards, and took her fully into his arms. To Severus's surprise, she rested her head on his shoulder, and continued to cry hard. "Go on, you cry, Ginny, let it all out, my sweet..." Voldemort looked up to Severus once more, smirking. "Isn't three month of solitary confinement an amazing thing?"

Severus raised an eyebrow, but nodded all the same. "Alright, you got this one right."

"You're so nice," Ginny chocked out through her laboured breathing, and loud sobs. "Why are you so nice?"

"Everyone can be nice to a sweet, young girl such as yourself," Voldemort said softly. "Now, let's get you out of here, my sweet, you can have a room close to my own so we can get better acquainted."

"R... Room?" Ginny asked, clearly shocked. She hiccuped gently, and then looked back up to Voldemort."M... Malfoy... Malfoy said you would kill me..."

"Oh, don't listen to him," Voldemort said, with a sigh of annoyance. "Malfoy is a silly, rich snob... We don't need to listen to him!" Gently, he picked Ginny up into his arms, brushing hair from her face. "From now on, myself and Severus will look after you, along with some elves."

Ginny looked at Severus properly for the first time. "H... Headmaster?"

"Yes, Ginny," Severus said, hiding his grimace from having to be nice to one of his Gryffindor students. "I had to bring you here, our Lord ordered me to, for your own safety."

"Do you want to know something, Ginny?" Voldemort asked her, as they left the cell and began walking up the stairs. Ginny nodded weakly. "Severus and myself are going to get married soon. We're going to be a bonded couple. Isn't that wonderful?" Ginny nodded once more, she seemed to be overwhelmed. The tears hadn't yet stopped pouring down her cheeks. "I think, Sev, that Ginny here should be one of our bridesmaids. We'll have a very beautiful dress made for her." Voldemort turned his attention back to the redhead in front of her. "Dark green will go wonderfully with her stunning hair."

"I agree," Severus said, with a nod. They reached the top of the staircase, and Voldemort opened a door, a couple away from their own.

"This room will be lovely for you, it overlooks the grounds, such a wonderful sight during the day," he said, setting Ginny down on the bed. "Now," he said, tucking the emerald covers around her shoulders. "You have a nap for a couple of hours, I'll send a house elf along and you can have a bath, and then you can join myself and Severus for dinner. How does roasted duck sound to you?"

Ginny's eyes lit up, and she nodded. "Thank you, I can't wait," she said sleepily.

"And whatever you fancy for pudding." Voldemort smiled, and leant forwards, and kissed her on the forehead. "Sleep tight." He stood, and beckoned Severus to leave the room with him. As the door clicked shut, Voldemort tapped it with his wand, muttering a locking spell. "She'll sleep until morning now," he said softly. "Oh, that was so easy..." He led Severus into their own rooms, and sat down on the sofa, pouring himself a large glass of wine.

"What do you intend to do with her?" Severus asked, taking his own wine, and standing next to the glowing fireplace, warming himself gently. The cellar had been freezing.

"Get her trust." Voldemort swirled his wine thoughtfully around his crystal glass, and then took a sip. "Fisus sum..." he murmured.

Severus nodded slowly. "Fisus sum could be possible, I am sure. But why do you need her trust so badly?" He walked away from the fireplace, and knelt at Voldemort's feet, kissing his knees affectionately. His lover put his hands gently into Severus hair, massaging, and Severus found a groan of pleasure escape his lips.

"I'll trick her into doing something," Voldemort murmured. "Something that will make Potter, and the Order believe she has joined me." He leant forwards, and kissed Severus on the crown of his head. "That really will start a war."

"You're a bad man, Master," Severus said with a smirk. Voldemort laughed loudly, and kissed Severus once more.

"So are you, Severus Snape." Voldemort pulled his fingers through Severus's hair once more, gently pulling out the knots, smoothing any stray hairs, and massaging his skull. Severus moaned once more, making Voldemort chuckle quietly. "I believe you might well be perfect."

"I expect so," Severus replied with a small smile, trying to breath calmly, and almost succeeding until Voldemort continued his touching. "And this something? Have you anything planned?"

"Well..." Voldemort carefully put his hands under Severus's arms, and slowly pulled him to standing, and then beckoned to his lap. Severus sat down, curling his legs up and put his arms tightly around his lovers neck. Voldemort kissed him briefly on the lips, before continuing to speak. "I have wished for that Weasley girl to join me since I spent a year getting to know her in the diary... Eventually, I shall want her to be on our side, on her own accord. How talented is she?"

"The most out of all her family," Severus murmured. "If she was Potter's age, she would be better then him."

"Really..." Voldemort said softly, hardly talking to Severus now, but more to himself. "But how can I make her forget the rest... How can I make her like me enough to do my bidding..."

"You find out what she wants most in the world, and give it to her," Severus said quietly. "We can visit again tomorrow morning, after we have sent a couple of elves to her. She's a girl, we must remember that. If you're feeling daring, perhaps you could have a chat with Bellatrix about what-"

Severus hastily silenced himself as he noticed how Voldemort's expression darkened as Bellatrix's name was mentioned. "Or even Narcissa. I'm sure Lucius would oblige-"

"Severus," Voldemort murmured, silencing his lover with the cover of his hand over Severus's mouth. "Stop digging. You are making it worse."

"Sorry," Severus muttered as Voldemort uncovered his mouth. Suddenly he could hear his heart thudding in his chest as the Dark Lord drew closer to him, he felt very hot. Swallowing loudly, Severus spoke once more, though this time it was louder. "Perhaps we should leave this conversation for now, my Lord..."

Voldemort chuckled darkly, and the sound certainly didn't help Severus's heightened state of arousal. "Perhaps we should leave all conversation, my dearest," he said, his voice no louder then a whisper. Slowly, supporting Severus in his arms, he carried his lover into their bedroom, and dropped him onto the bed, which was made of very good use.

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Voldemort had sent Ginny two female house elves, each laden down with shampoo, conditioner, scented soaps, make up, nail varnish and perfume, along with three beautiful dresses made to perfection in Ginny's size for her to wear. Severus wondered if he could get all of this stuff if Voldemort wanted something enough from him. Maybe not, though. Voldemort always got what he wanted from Severus during sex.

Severus was seated opposite Voldemort in their rarely used breakfast room, blinking in annoyance as the sun streamed in through the vertical blinds that were normally there to shut out the light. He was about to comment upon it when there was a quiet tap on the door.

"Enter," Voldemort called softly, and the door slowly opened, and the pale face of Ginny looked around the door, followed by the rest of her body. She carefully shut the door behind her, and walked apprehensively towards the table. "Come and sit down, Ginevra, you look like you could do with breakfast."

Still tense, she sat down in the seat between Voldemort and Severus, and began helping herself to the food. Voldemort sipped coffee, eyeing Severus over his mug, a smug smile on his lips. "You look radiant this morning, Ginny," Voldemort added on, as he set the cup down on the table. Ginny smiled shyly at him, but didn't reply. "The dress suits you. I shall have plenty more made for you, however you like."

This time, she looked up, her eyes shining bright. "Made new?" she asked, forgetting her shyness for the moment.

"Well, how else would you like it made?" Voldemort asked, after a slight pause as he bit into his toast.

Ginny shrugged, she clearly didn't want to explain, but Severus knew why. "You know how poor the Weasley's are."

"Of course." Voldemort nodded briefly to Severus, before looking back to Ginny.

"T... My Lord," Ginny began uncertainly. "Would you mind if the blinds were shut, it's awfully bright in here."

Severus looked up at his lover, a smirk on his face. "There, see! She prefers it dark, just like we do." He tilted his head, now looking back to Ginny. True, she did look stunning in the dress, and the make up, her hair freshly washed, curling slightly as it fell down her back, and Severus knew very well how attractive his fiancée was finding the young girl. But this time, there was no way he was going to let another Bellatrix situation happen. Voldemort snorted, and waved his hand wordlessly towards the blinds, which closed over, leaving the room light enough for them to see each other, but eliminated anything too bright for them to bear. "She should be a Slytherin, Master," Severus said, his smirk still there.

"I believe she nearly was," Voldemort said, looking over Ginny with a fatherly smile. Ginny blushed red and ducked her head slightly, covering her face slightly with her mug. "Come, Ginny, tell Severus."

Ginny looked to Severus, her eyes on his own. "I was nearly in your house... The hat's first choice for me was Slytherin, but because of my family..." She shrugged, and cast her eyes down to her plate, slowly eating what was there. "I think Slytherin would have been better for me."

Voldemort looked triumphantly up at Severus, but quickly hid it, looking back to Ginny as if nothing had happened. "You have done well so far, Ginny," Voldemort spoke softly, in a tone which Severus knew was completely fake. Ginny looked up at him, startled, then nodded, and looked back down to her food once more. "You still seem tired, sweetheart," Voldemort continued, his voice quieter than ever.

"A little," Ginny admitted. It was an understatement, her eyelids were visibly drooping, and she was white as a sheet. "But... I have so much more to ask you..."

"Anything can wait," Voldemort admonished. "Come, back to bed with you." He scooped her back up into his arms, and carried her slowly back to her room. Severus waited outside of the door as Voldemort tucked her back into her bed, feeling slightly sick.

"This is ridiculous," Severus whispered as Voldemort shut the door, and quietly locked it.

"She has a purpose."

"Her purpose?" Severus asked sharply, with a sneer. "And what could that be?"

Voldemort turned to face him, one eyebrow raised. Slowly, he pushed Severus backwards against the wall, pinning him there hard. "There is a meeting in half an hour. We shall discuss it there."

"When have we ever discussed something as important as this in a meeting?" Severus snapped, pushing back against Voldemort's deathly grip on his wrists.

"Right now," Voldemort hissed. "We begin now. And you'd damned well better be on your best behaviour, because I am now in the mood to throw curses around." He pushed back from Severus, and stepped away. "Come. They will be arriving shortly."

Slightly shaken, Severus followed after Voldemort, but decided to keep his mouth shut, for the moment. They entered the meeting room, and sat there awaiting the others arrival in a stony silence. Severus refused to look at his lover, and Voldemort wasn't much better. The silence broke when Bellatrix entered, and sat down in her usual place, equally careful not to look at either Voldemort or Severus, plainly terrified. The others entered, a few at a time, and sat down at their usual seats, waiting for the meeting to begin.

"Voldemort..." Severus reached tentatively towards his lovers mind, wondering if it was such a good idea to bother after all.

"What?" The Dark Lord looked to Severus, showing no emotion in his face at all.

"I love you."

The gaze upon him didn't waver, only a single thin eyebrow rose slightly, and then gracefully lowered itself. "Stop it, Severus."

"Stop what?"

"Your incessant love talk." Severus couldn't help but notice the small, smug smile upon Voldemort's lips.

"Say it back."

"Absolutely not." Voldemort looked across the now full table, and began to talk in a soft tone, hardly more than a whisper, but it still carried through the dark meeting room. "My friends... The time is upon us... The time where we must find a way to entice Potter to Hogwarts, where he shall meet his doom, along with the rest of my opponents..." The table was silent. Severus was wishing very much that he knew what was coming next, as he normally did. "I love you." Severus jumped slightly, but the smile still came to his lips a moment later. Voldemort didn't even bother to look at his lover, he knew how the reaction would be. "I have an opinion as to how I can get him to the school... I know he has a reason for needing to be there... Severus will set up spells around and inside of Hogwarts to detect the presence of Potter... We must be ready to begin the attack at all times, at merely a moments notice."

Severus narrowed his eyes in concentration. Voldemort was clearly talking about the Diadem, though he wasn't going to let his followers know there was something important behind the meanings. Severus was the only one that even knew about the Horcrux's. But Voldemort had mentioned Weasley to him earler, so where was her part?

"You mentioned the use of Miss Weasley," Severus said, softly. Voldemort's gaze on him was heavy, he was almost glaring, but not quite.

"Ah, yes," he continued to speak to the rest of the group. "Miss Weasley is, from now on, to be respected by all.." There were quiet murmurings, but a simple wave of the hand silenced all. "She is my newest project, and I intend for her to be doing my bidding, and mine only." There were more murmurings, only this time they seemed more understanding. "I shall gain her trust, and eventually she will be ready to kill for my purpose..." He smirked. "I shall have her betray Potter in the end, I shall show all exactly what I am capable of."

Severus shook his head, and spoke, slightly louder then last time. He was going to debate as he normally would for the correct choice, public or not. "I do not understand why we do not fake a letter from Miss Weasley, claiming to be at Hogwarts, as a priso-"

"Snape," Voldemort spat, angrily. The Death Eater's whisperings grew stronger once more. "I do hope you are not questioning me."

Severus looked resentfully up at his lover, before he spoke, quietly. "No," he said, but defiance was clear in his eyes.

"Potter would not fall for it," Voldemort continued, his eyes no longer on Severus, but around at each of his followers.

"He-" Severus began once more, and Voldemort rounded on his sharply.

"He what?" he hissed angrily, glaring at Severus. The Death Eaters could only see the pair glaring daggers at each other, and only Lucius could guess the reasons for their silence. "Snape-"

"He will fall for it! You know he will, he did with Black-."

"He will have learnt he lesson."

"This is the one person on earth he loves, who loves him back, Voldemort! Why will you not admit it?"

"You continue to treat me like this is public, you put me in such a terrible position of knowing I need to cause you pain, to make an example of you in front of them-"

"Then do it!"

"I'll bend you over and fuck you right now if need be-"

"Go on!"

The silence continued. Slowly, Voldemort looked away from Severus, and glowered around the room. Severus took a deep breath, hating what he knew he had to do. "My Lord, I merely meant that we cannot trust that Potter has worked out he has a need to go to Hogwarts," he said, his tone wonderfully respectful.

Voldemort looked back to him, his eyes widening slightly in shock. "I value your opinion," he responded, nodding his head slightly towards his lover. "And you are right, to a certain degree." Slowly, he stood, and began walking around the table. Severus found himself relaxing as cool fingers brushed along his shoulders, as Voldemort stepped slowly past him. "My friends... After today, you will be summoned only for our battle. You shall be ready and prepared at all times, to be just a moment away from our fate... We kill all in our way. There is no room for mercy, for there shall be none for you. The Order of the Phoenix will be just as harsh, and as cruel as we can be." He reached the top end of the table, and slowly began pacing back down towards the other end. "Selwyn," Voldemort said, his tone changing to one slightly more authoritative. Selwyn looked surprised as suddenly being spoke to, and all colour from his face drained. "How goes the curfew in Hogsmead?"

The man relaxed, and nodded. "It goes well, my Lord, only a few people protest, and then they are dealt with... The spells in place ensure that we know all the night time wanderings of people in and out of Hogsmead, and frequently we have patrols of Dementors."

"Excellent," Voldemort replied softly with a nod. He continued to walk, and now he reached Bellatrix, who dropped her gaze down to the table, her hair hanging over her face. Voldemort seemed content enough to ignore her. "And Yaxley, my wonderful Department of Magical Law Enforcement, is there anything of interest or excitement there?"

Yaxley's chest inflated, a smirk appeared on his face at being addressed like that. "Nothing too exciting, my Lord, we continue with constantly watching the Taboo and there's never anything to report on there... The Muggle Registration Scheme is coming along nicely, we only have a couple more of the known Mudbloods and Blood-Traitors left to find."

"I would like the whole list of who has been caught and who remains as soon as possible, Yaxley," Voldemort said, still standing in between Bellatrix's and Lucius's chairs. He seemed to be getting a lot of satisfaction out of scaring Bellatrix silly.

"Of course, my Lord," Yaxley replied, bowing his head.

Voldemort continued to walk, and slowly he was standing next to Severus once more. "I'm afraid I have a particularly nasty task for someone..." He looked around the table, eyes narrowed as he he was looking for the right person. "Ah..." He smirked. "Bellatrix, you'll do fine." The woman slumped down further into her chair. Rodolphus cast a furtive glance in her direction, as if he was wondering why she was suddenly out of favour. Clearly Bellatrix hadn't told anyone about her vault being broken into. "You will go underground to Fenrir to inform him that Lord Voldemort requests a meet with him as soon as possible. Bring him straight back with you, if you can manage that."

"Yes, my Lord," she responded softly, still not making any form of eye contact with her Master.

"Alecto, and Amycus," Voldemort continued, looking up the table to where the two newest Professor's of Hogwarts were seated. "When Potter arrives at Hogwarts, we shall instantly know... As soon as Severus alerts you to this, one of you shall instantly go to the Ravenclaw Common, as I am certain that Potter will go there."

The pair nodded, but Voldemort didn't stop talking there. "Which means that you, Severus," he said, turning back to his lover. "Will not be able to leave Hogwarts, as I assume that you will not be alerted unless you are there?"

"Ah, yes," Severus replied.

Voldemort nodded, but did not reply to Severus. "The Giants and Dementors will be informed, and my army on Inferi will also be used, naturally... We fight only to kill, only to win." Voldemort turned, and sat back down in his high backed chair at the top end of the table, lounging imperiously. "And it remains the same... Harry Potter is mine, and mine alone. No one is to touch him." Voldemort looked around the table once more, before nodding curtly. "I shall see each of you soon... Prepare yourselves." He waved his hand dismissively. "Bellatrix," he continued over the noise of the scraping chairs. "Go to Fenrir right now. I shall be in my rooms when you return, report to me."

When the room was their own, Severus was able to relax. "As soon as we win, as soon as I know that the Wizarding World is mine, I am going to kiss you, and let everyone in the world know that you belong to me." With a smile, Severus looked up to his lover, and nodded.

"I should hope so," he replied, standing up and stroking down the side of Voldemort's face, down his neck and over his shoulders. "We should go to our rooms before Bellatrix returns."

"Mm, she can wait," Voldemort said, kissing Severus hard on the lips.

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Bellatrix knocked on the door of their rooms some time later. Severus opened the door, almost surprised to see Fenrir behind her. He smiled. "Thank you, Bellatrix, you may go now," Severus said silkily to her. She glared resentfully at him for a moment, before she turned on her heel and walked away. Fenrir smirked at Severus, his yellowed teeth bared.

"That one'd make a good meal," he barked, just as Bellatrix was out of ear shot.

"I think you would find her a little too sour for your liking," Severus replied, beckoning the werewolf into the room. Fenrir crossed the threshold, his gaze now on Voldemort.

"Ah, Fenrir," said Voldemort, nodding to him.

"M'Lord," Fenrir replied, inclining his head slightly.

"I have summoned you to me because the attack of Hogwarts is imminent," Voldemort said, watching Fenrir carefully. "Your assistance will be required, from you and all of your werewolves."

"I will enjoy another Hogwarts attack very much," Fenrir drawled.

"Excellent, when the time comes I shall send someone to inform you. We will be meeting in the forbidden forest," Voldemort continued.

"I'll look forward to it," Fenrir replied, with relish. Severus knew it was only because he would have an unlimited supply of children of eat. "But if you'll excuse me..." Fenrir smiled. Severus repressed a shudder at his yellow teeth. "I have to be elsewhere."

Voldemort nodded, and watched as Fenrir left the room. "Probably eating babies..." Severus murmured as soon as the door was shut. Voldemort chuckled, and kissed Severus.

"We need to discuss arrangements for us, for the next few weeks," Voldemort said, pulling Severus into the bedroom with his hand.

"I'll be at Hogwarts at all times, I know." Severus was dreading all this time at the school with no break.

"I promise I'll visit you as often as I can," Voldemort said, sitting down on the bed and pulling off his shoes. "Every night possible. You know how much I will miss you, Sev, but you've got to think about the future. About us winning, about us being together." Severus sat down next to his lover, and rested his head on his shoulder. "It's not for long, at least."

Severus nodded, and closed his eyes, hoping that Potter would discover his need to be at Hogwarts quickly so that they could just get this defeating business over with.

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Just to really depress everyone, I've already written the last chapter. I got really stuck half way through this chapter and I knew that there was a particular scene I couldn't wait to write in chapter twenty four, so I pressed ahead!

Please, please leave me a review!