She'd been gone ten minutes before he'd been summoned.

And the mark pained him with such urgency that he could not ignore it.

"I don't know why I bother with you lot," he sneered. "Its just not worth the effort. Get out. The lot of you. And I want three feet on the properties of mankyfur and an additional five on the importance of Potions in day to day life."

He didn't know why he did it. It wasn't like he wanted to waste away his entire weekend reading worthless drivel. It was worse than when he'd ended up spending his eighteenth birthday reading Twelfth Night.

Storming off, he directed himself towards the Forbidden Forest. Stupid girl. And with that thought he apparated into the foyer of Malfoy Manor, where that sodding rat awaited him. Oh gods, how he'd like to Avada him.

"Where are they,rat?"

Pettigrew cowered and stammered out a response.

"They're in the library."

"Stay."The rat followed him anyway, but ran off after he'd slammed open the doors.

"Severus," Voldemort greeted.

"My Lord," Snape bowed.

"Now. None of that. As I told our dear little Mudblood, we are not conducting a meeting.."

"Of course, forgive me, my lord." Snape said, rising. "If I may, what is Miss Granger doing?"

"I was simply about to indulge your apprentice and allow her the knowledge of what transpired on the evening of the third, last month.

The professor bit his lip, unsure for the first time in twenty years as to whether he ought to speak out. Unfortunately, it seemed as though the snake could sense this.

"Have you something to say, Severus?"

"My Lord," the words rolled off his tongue as naturally as water off a leaf. "I humbly request that you don not yet reveal to my apprentice the events that transpired that evening."

Voldemort did not look pleased.

"Tread carefully, Severus with what next you say. You know I do not care for my gifts being. . . returned. But if you know better? . . . "He trailed off dangerously.

"No, my lord. I do hope you do not consider my counsel an attempt to undermine your authority. I merely feel as though she would be better equipped as your weapon is she was not aware of the events that transpired that evening. She is only a month into her training. And as both a Gryffindor and a female, she is rash, emotional and impulsive. And so early on, she would be more a liability than an asset. If my original request is not suitable then I ask for two more weeks to further her condition her temperaments and then she will be able to use this information as a Slytherin and further our cause."

The Dark Lord considered his request.

"Very well. However, if you are unable to fulfil your task, I will not be benevolent. You will both be required to re-enact the occurrence of that evening to your brothers. Is that understood?"

Snape nodded scowling internally. "Of course my lord." No sooner did he finish talking did Hermione keel over silently. "Since you have to go back to teach today, I am unable to punish you directly, so as in all things, your apprentice will take your stead." Voldemort explained. He did not stop until she had passed out. "You may leave, Severus." Without another word, he bowed his head in acquiescence and picked up the unconscious Miss Granger and apparated back to Hogwarts.