Chapter Two- The Other Person from Spinner's End
"I will."
The words rung throughout the house. The vow had been taken and no point of return existed for its speaker. The speaker, a pale, somber man with greasy black hair, lifted himself from the kneeling position he had taken. The other two women in the house, one an anxious and relieved woman with long, blonde hair and the other a black haired, heavy eye lidded who looked completely shocked, stood up.
The greasy haired, black man impassively nodded towards the blonde woman. "I hope your worries have eased to some extent, Narcissa. This is the best I can do for Draco." Then with a nasty sneer, he turned to face the black, haired woman. "I assume that your doubts about me are quelled now, Bellatrix. "
Narcissa hurriedly gripped the man's hands and said in a very shaky voice, "Thank you so much, Severus. I knew you were the only one I could trust to help Draco."
Severus acknowledged the thanks with a slight nod of his head. He then stated matter of factly, "I think it would be best for both of you leave now. Wormtail does have a brain as small as it is. An extended stay by both of you would arouse unnecessary suspicion and he does have a rodentlike habit of poking his nose in unwarranted places." He guided Narcissa to the door and motioned for Bellatrix to exit as well.
Bellatrix, still standing and staring at Severus with a mixture of astonishment and suspicion, said forcefully, "Snape, I'll admit I am very surprised. It would have been best for my sister to let Draco carry out the task on his own but your willingness is commendable. But don't let your ego think that I now trust you as the Dark Lord does." She strode swiftly towards the door, not bothering to look at Snape. Before she stepped across the doorstep, she paused and slowly rotated her body around. This time, her face was alight with eagerness, her mouth twisted into a maniacal smile, her eyes dark and hungry.
"Snape, being one of the Dark Lord's most favoured servants, I trust that he shares plans, information with you that unfortunately, with the debacle at the Ministry, I have not been privy to. What, even I was not aware of the fate he had set in store for Amelia Bones. I do wonder whoever next will be on his list." Her voice had a distinct air of challenge to it.
Snape raised his eyebrows and frowned slightly. "Bellatrix, I am afraid I do not understand what you are rambling about this time."
Bellatrix snorted derisively. "Oh come on Snape. We all know you can't play the innocent and naïve bystander. Even Dumbledore does not fall for that." With unnatural sarcasm, she then added, "But for your seemingly oblivious mind, I will make my concerns clear. What I want to know regards both the Dark Lord and Dumbledore's plans for Kalissa Malkae." On the last two words, she hit a contemptuous and greedy note.
Snape straightened his robes and then addressed Bellatrix. "Bellatrix, I know as much about Kalissa Malkae as you do. From what I last heard, she was a teacher at Durmstrang. I personally do not know how Durmstrang accepted such vermin. But she fears the power of the Dark Lord and his supporters. Being her usual cowardly self, she has left Britain and I do not think she will come back."
"Don't play your games with me, Snape. She was one of Dumbledore's closest allies. She is too important for your white haired friend to forget." In a hushed voice, she stated, "And there are things she knows about the Dark Lord, things that he would want to be erased."
Narcissa let out a tiny gasp. She was watching the exchange between the two of them both curiously and frightfully. Snape's face remained unfazed. His eyes had not broken contact with Bellatrix. "Bellatrix, let me repeat myself. Like you, the situation of Kalissa Malkae is not something that has reached my ears. Now, may you please leave. You are becoming rather annoying."
Bellatrix studied Snape closely before she gave a triumphant shriek. "You know something, Snape. Why else would you say situation? The Dark Lord does have something planned for her. Well, I intend to join in on the fun." Her eyes narrowed while her face briefly took on this tense, anxious look. "And what about this daughter I hear Malkae has? Malkae was not married, was she?"
"I am sure you remember Malkae's fondness for strangers. I believe this girl is a product of one of her wild nights at the Hog's Head."
"How old is the girl?"
Snape caught the fleeting but worried glance that crossed Bellatrix' features. Comprehension dawned on his face and his nasty sneer returned. "Bellatrix, you aren't labouring under any delusions regarding erm, let's say the identity of this girl. Did you not exterminate any remnants of the little affair you had with that Muggle? The Dark Lord would certainly not be pleased to find out-"
"How dare you accuse me, you filthy little traitor! Of course, I did away with David Claggerton and his child. Unlike you, I do what I say will do. " Her fists were clenched tightly, her eyes narrowed and her entire body convulsing in anger.
"Flattering that you remember his name." Snape's sarcasm could almost be viewed as comical but in the tense context, the mocking tone had a daring and reckless abandon to it.
Bellatrix let out a crazed and shocked cry. She turned her body fully around and slowly prowled towards Snape until their bodies were almost touching and their faces were barely apart. Her body had taken on a leaning, arched shape like an animal preparing for a nasty fight. Snape remained erect and stiff. His sneer had slightly diminished and he was now watching Bellatrix warily
"Just like you remember Lily Evans. Isn't that right, dear Sev?," hissed Bellatrix venomously, articulating on each syllable with pure disgust and hatred. "She lived in this filthy area, didn't she? She was always a pathetic and worthless Mudblood. Well, vermin like that deserve the fate she –"
Before Bellatrix could complete the sentence, Snape had pulled out his wand and raised it to Bellatrix's throat. His face was white with fury, his eyes dilated in rage and his body visibly shaking. Bellatrix, equally ready to the challenge, had her wand out pointed directly at Snape's chest. She looked at Snape with an unpleasant combination of excitement and triumph.
Narcissa, who had momentarily been in shock, hurried towards the pair and gripped Bellatrix's arm. "Bella, come on. Don't start a fight. Severus is telling the truth about Malkae. Hasn't he proved himself trustworthy? The Dark Lord would not want his two most devoted servants at odds with another, " begged Narcissa, desperately pulling at Bellatrix's arm.
Bellatrix, not taking her eyes off Snape, gradually withdrew her wand and allowed her sister to lead her to the door. Snape, who had stopped shaking and regained his calm, solemn appearance, mirrored Bellatrix's withdrawal of arms.
As the two sisters left the house, Bellatrix, in a whisper that carried across to Snape, hissed, "See Cissy, I was always right. You can never trust anyone who loves a Mudblood."
On the last word, Snape waved his wand and the door slammed shut violently. With another flick of the wand, he reinforced the silencing charm cast on the door leading up to the stairs. He crossed the living room in a rushed, forced manner until he reached his armchair where he sat down. Checking around the room again for any signs of life, he placed his head in his hands and gave a burdensome, heavy shudder.