Disclaimer - Only the plot.
Thank You Lord Voldemort
Chapter 11 - Confessions
Still in 1997
Ron and Hermione quickly followed Professor Snape into his office.
Snape sat behind his desk and motioned for them to sit across from him.
"Well, what did you want to know? Make it quick before I take points."
Ron had clearly decided to let Hermione do all of the talking.
"Professor, what was Alex like? Was he happy?"
Severus pulled a flask from a drawer in his desk and took a small sip to loosen himself up. "Well, most of the time he had fun. He would have had a better year if the marauders would have left us alone."
"You mean Harry's dad? Professor Lupin told us that they didn't get along. Did they hex each other like we do with Malfoy?"
Severus almost chuckled but decided that it would have shocked the Gryffindors too much. "Hex? How about an all out duel? Alex and James Potter got into an argument in Hogsmead one day and it ended up in a duel the next day. Lupin was James' second and I was Alex's. We won of course but both of the seconds had to be used. No serious injuries though but Alex and James were both knocked out for a bit."
"Did they make up after that?"
Severus' eyes darkened. "No. Those fool Gryffindors. They tried to make our life hell. When Alex would get upset I used to try to calm him down, telling him it wasn't personal, all the insults the marauders threw our way. If I had known that Alex was being insulted by his own future friends and family I don't know what I would have done. It will be hard for him to forgive Lupin when he gets back."
Ron and Hermione sat in silence briefly. They were both in shock. They knew how great of a person Harry was and for his own father to tease and duel him just because of his house was absurd. Hermione watched as Professor Snape drank more from the flask.
"What did he get a special services award for?"
Severus sighed and took another drink. "What he always does. Gets into some mess with Voldemort and saves the school."
"It's a good thing that Alex had you as a friend sir."
Weary eyes looked up. "I'm glad I had him Miss Granger. I think it's time for you both to leave. Good night."
Hermione didn't want to leave. She was hoping whatever the professor was drinking would lead him to reveal even more about what happened that year, not just vague summations. But the Gryffindors reluctantly left.
"Ron, maybe we should find someone who doesn't know who Alex really is. Maybe they'll tell us more about what happened. Lupin and Snape are both hiding something. Let's look at those archives and see whom else they went to school with."
Back in 1977
After dinner, Severus and Alex headed to the room of requirement. The had both agreed that it would be the safest place to talk. Alex was the one to walk back and forth in front of the wall where the door would appear. He opened the door to find a small room with a sofa and fireplace. They were happy to find a small cabinet with beverages.
They each grabbed a butterbeer and sank onto the sofa, entwining their fingers. Alex could feel the butterflies in his stomach. This was the conversation he had been dreading. He wasn't sure if Severus was ready to switch sides and if he weren't than Alex would have to end it.
"So, I'm a spy in the future?"
"Yes. So, what about right now? When did you get the mark?"
"I got it after my fifth year ended. Potter and his bunch had done many things to humiliate and infuriate me that year. One of the older Slytherins, Lucius Malfoy, had been watching. He waited until I was at my lowest point in my life, when I was looking for any way to pick myself up. I've never been rich or powerful. All I had ever been was a pale, skinny, poor kid. My mother, she was widowed at an early age. My father, who was a brilliant potions master had an accident in his lab. My mother had never approved of my following in his footsteps, making potions, even though I have quite the talent for it. Lucius Malfoy offered me everything I had ever sought. So, one night I went with him to a meeting. He said I would get to speak with the most powerful wizard ever. What he didn't mention was everything else that would happen that night."
Severus stopped to drain the rest of his butterbeer and grab another. Alex just sat there dumbfounded. He wanted to speak, to reassure Severus, but his mouth just wouldn't form words. Severus sat back down and Alex pulled on Severus' arm gently, guiding him to the sofa in a way in which he was now leaning on Alex's chest. Alex lightly rubbed Sev's shoulders as he continued his story.
"He had a portkey to take him to the meeting so I met him at his house and we portkeyed together. When we stopped spinning I opened my eyes to be standing in a large stone room. It was cold and I could smell death and decay everywhere. I could here screams and laughter. I was repulsed. I wanted nothing more than to run out of there but Lucius kept a hold of my arm. When everyone had gathered I was taken to the center of the room. The Dark Lord was sitting in a throne before me. He motioned to a couple followers and they opened a door as another dragged in a young woman."
Alex could tell Severus was begining to tear up and wrapped his arms around him, nuzzling into Sev's neck. Severus took a moment to calm himself.
"They brought the woman in front of me and I was ordered to rape or torture her by whatever means I chose. I tried to explain to the dark lord that I didn't want to, that I was only interested in potions but he ordered me to do it or be killed. So I used a dark curse I had read about that causes cuts to appear on a persons body. That wasn't good enough for Him. He ordered me to kill her. I .. I didn't want to but I knew it was she or I at that point. So I did it. I killed that poor woman. I have nightmares about it constantly. After the deed was done the dark lord laughed and ordered me to give him my arm. I shook my head no but he told me that someone would leak to the ministry about what I had just done. The ministry would perform priori incantatum and I would go to Azkaban for life. When he put that mark on my arm it hurt like hell. I tried my best not to cry out loud but the tears on my face were enough to make Him laugh. I felt so stupid. Lucius' promises were nothing but lies. Lucius was rewarded for bringing in someone skilled in potions. He was given his own muggle woman to rape and torture. Since then I've gone every time I've been called in fear of my life. I've done the most awful things I could ever imagine."
"So, you wouldn't object to being a spy?"
"No, but how would I pull that off? I don't know anything about being a spy."
"Do you enjoy what you do at meetings?"
"No."
"Do you pretend like you do?"
"Yes."
"Then you'll make a great spy. There are a few more skills that couldn't hurt like occlumency so that Voldemort can't read your mind."
Alex missed the small flinch at the use of the dark lord's name. "Will you do it? Spy?"
Severus didn't take long to decide. "Yes. What do I need to do?"
"Well first you will have to speak to the headmaster. He will know what to do."
Severus turned around to face Alex and leaned back into him. "Thank you Alex. If spying makes me feel better about what I'm forced to do it may save me from killing myself. Sometimes it gets so hard, the nightmares. I've woken up more than once and pointed my wand at myself but I've never been able to finish the job. Thank you."
Alex placed soft kisses down Severus' cheeks where the tears had been. "It will be okay. We'll get through this together Sev. I'll help you. I think I've fallen in love with you Severus. I don't want to see you hurting like this."
Severus laid back onto the sofa, pulling Alex with him. "I think I love you too Alex. I've never felt like this with anyone. Just looking into your eyes calms me like no drug could. You know, last night, when you went to untie my robe, I was worried you'd see the dark mark."
Alex smiled at him. "I've seen it before, in my time." He pulled up Severus' sleeve and kissed the offending mark. He felt Severus shudder beneath him. "Did that hurt Sev?"
"No, it took the pain away. It was wonderful." Alex kissed the mark again and pulled back to undo his own robe. He let it fall over his shoulders.
Severus marveled at the young man before him. His only thought was 'perfect.' He didn't flinch this time when Alex undid his robe and pulled it open across his chest.
Both of them seemed nervous at the prospect of going further but both were painfully aroused. So Severus and Alex settled for just touching. Alex gasped as Sev's hand traveled down to his waist and below.
They both felt as though they were in heaven as they touched and felt and kissed and hugged. After what seemed like too short a time they were both laying content in each other's arms. They stayed like that, half sleeping, for several hours until they knew it was almost time for curfew.
They walked back to the dungeons but before entering they kissed deeply once more. "I love you Alex."
"I love you too Severus."
Back in 1997
"Look Ron, Bill was a second year then. Let's write him a letter."
Dear Bill,
Hermione and I have been looking at various events in Hogwart's history. We were wondering what you could tell us about Alexander Campione. He was a time traveler that arrived in your second year. He was a seventh year Slytherin. What do you remember about him? And how's Fleur?
Ron
Back in 1977
The following day Severus and Alex were back to being inseparable. They walked everywhere together. When they thought they were alone they would steal kisses. If they got to a class early and no one else was there they'd kiss until they heard someone approach. Alex was happier then he'd ever been. Neither one of them noticed the hateful look they were getting from one of the marauders.
A week later they were running to charms. They had overslept after staying up too late talking the night before. Just as they turned down the charms corridor Alex remembered that he had forgotten his homework on his bedside table. "Hey Sev, go on ahead and make up an excuse for me while I go get it." he yelled as he went back to get it.
The green-eyed Slytherin kept getting the feeling that he was being watched. He didn't see Filch standing in the hallway until he ran into him. He still felt like he was being watched as Filch led him to his office. After making him sit in his office for an hour for running in the halls, Filch let him leave. As soon as he left the room he felt a pair of eyes on him again. He headed straight for charms. Class was almost over by now but at least he'd get to meet back up with Sev as he came out.
As he turned another corner he was thrown roughly against the wall. His head hit the wall and he blanked out briefly. He started coming back around but couldn't open his eyes as they were already swelling up due to the person pounding on him. The feeling of blood oozing from the back of his head caused him to feel nauseous. He could hear an almost animal-like growling noise coming from the person that was punching. A hard punch landed in his chest and he struggled to breathe. He tried to reach his wand but it was knocked away. He'd never felt so defensless. The person finally let up as Alex heard footsteps approaching.
"Remus, what's going on. Did he attack you?"
It then dawned on Alex who must have been hitting him. "Remus?"