"The potion, Lucius." Severus gave him the love potion. "And don't forget the instructions! It will dissolve in wine without being seen. Only in wine."
"Right. Thank you, Severus." Malfoy whispered while he put on his mask.
"What will he say tonight?"
"I don't know… we'll have three new members… a young married couple, the Lestranges and…"
"Lestrange? But his wife is Bellatrix. A Black!" Severus snorted.
"I know you don't like them. But they proved to be faithful allies and the Dark Lord is never wrong!"
"A Black…" The other muttered. "Her cousin is training to be an Auror! This is crazy!
"I'm sure they will be able to prove their loyalty. The Dark Lord is not stupid, I'm sure he thought about the danger of betrayal. Grab your torch and let's go!"
They lit the touches and walked toward the abandoned church.
The roof of the building burnt down in a fire twelve years ago. Only the stone walls remained. An old cemetery surrounded it but no Muggles came near here anymore. The nearest village was miles away so the deserted area was perfect for Voldemort and his followers to hold the meeting there.
As they entered the high stone walls Severus lifted his gaze to the sky. He couldn't see any clouds and the stars were shining brightly
The other Death Eaters arrived too. Each one of them held a torch and they began to shape a circle. Severus took his usual place between Crouch junior and Karkaroff.
"Igor." He nodded when he saw the man.
"Severus." He returned the gesture. "Together again."
"Yes." Snape growled. He looked at the blond teenager next to him with disgust. He walked and stood the same way as his hateful father did. "I still don't understand why this is here… he's just a child…" He whispered to Karkaroff.
"And his father might be the next Minister of Magic, I know…" The man frowned. "And he is a vicious Auror. I think we will talk about him too…"
"Well…"
"Rookwood brought information from the Ministry… He managed to get information from Bumfolt…"
"That fool." Severus shook his head scornfully.
"The Monstroes are late again." The Russian man hissed angrily. "How dare they do this when the Dark Lord summons them?"
At that moment two large, disheveled-looking figure Apparated in the middle of the circle. Everyone could see they dressed up in a hurry.
Karkaroff rolled his eyes.
"Fools." He whispered.
The two lit their torches after they took their places in the circle. Someone appeared in the middle of the circle in dark robes. His clothes only showed his lips as he walked with his head bowed. Behind him, three young wizards walked waiting to join the other Death Eaters. Severus recognized the woman as Sirius Black's cousin, Bellatrix. Her black hair was waving in the cold wind.
The Death Eaters in the circle all knelt before their Lord. Voldemort smiled and gave them permission to stand up.
"My friends, my loyal Death Eaters!" He spoke to them in his deep voice. "Welcome to our midnight meeting! We have important matters to do. First, you have to help the three new candidates to become one of us. Yes, we have three new comrades, show them the proper respect." He looked at Bellatrix and smiled wickedly. "After that we will listen to the news of our loyal friend, Rookwood. I must ask you to be very cautious. There are dangers threatening you out there. Lestrange!" He pointed at the man. "Step closer with your wife. Ewerilon!" He pointed at the third candidate.
All three of them knelt before him. They rolled up the sleeve on their left hand. Bellatrix's eyes showed so much resolve that Severus began to think…
The Dark Lord stepped to the woman and rolled up his sleeve too. The sight of the bony, pale-skinned hands made the nearby Death Eaters to groan.
Severus watched the long hands with the pointy fingers that stroked the silky skin on Bellatrix's arm. The sight blurred in front of Snape's eyes. He remembered the time when he was kneeling there… when his skin was touched by those sharp nails...
He came back to the present when he heard the screams of the woman. She screamed as if hot iron was pressed against her shin. The Dark Mark was burning on her arm. The magical tattoo was bleeding, two Death Eaters stepped closer to hold her but she fainted – Severus didn't know if it was because of the pain or the joy. Her husband watched with no emotion on his face and Voldemort gave him a satisfied smile for his persistence. His fingers touched the man's forearm. They danced in the air like he was drawing something. As a result, the Dark Mark appeared on his arm too. Lestrenge endured the pain without a sound but pressed his teeth firmly together.
"Ewerilon." The Dark Lord stroked the young blondish wizard's face. "Give me your hand!"
The blond one didn't try to hold his screams back but he smiled like his soul had been finally freed. He fell and the Death Eaters had to drag him from the circle.
"It's over!" Voldemort shouted triumphantly. He raised his hands and the Death Eaters knelt before him. "Come, Rookwood, let's hear the news from the Ministry!"
Said man stepped into the circle.
"My Lord please have mercy, I can't give you any good news!" He pleaded.
"Rise, Rookwood!" Voldemort ordered. "We are listening."
"Barty Crouch… senior." He added when some people looked at Crouch junior. "He gave new licenses to the Aurors… They can use Unforgivable curses against us."
Several people shuddered and hatred appeared on Severus' face. Even the Dark Lord clenched his hands.
"It's sure, sir." The spy begged. "Though the Ministry does not really agree with it…"
Voldemort stepped away from him and sighed angrily.
"So Barty Crouch…" He said primly and looked at the man's son.
He stepped in front of the boy, who knelt down at once. He tilted up the boy's head and looked at his eyes. The boy trembled at the sight of the glowing red eyes.
"You don't have to be afraid, son…" He whispered mysteriously. "We are not angry with you but with your hated father. You enjoy my protection." Voldemort said aloud as a warning to the Death Eaters who would have punished the boy because of the sins his father had committed. "Poor child… How much you have to suffer because of your father… Just like me." He leaned closer. "Our fates bind us together…"
He turned away and walked back to his place.
"Other news, Rookwood?"
"No, my Lord. Everything is chaotic…"
"Then we have to live with this wonderful opportunity… Cheat and lie! Kill and torture! Let the world know that Lord Voldemort do not let his followers being threatened!"
The Death Eaters shouted happily, some of them knelt in front of him and kissed his robes while others thanked for this honor.
"Before you leave." Voldemort said. "Severus!" He turned to the Potions Master.
Severus shuddered. He bowed his head and knelt on one knee.
"I'm your faithful servant, my Lord." He said reverently.
"I have no doubt about it, my noble Death Eater." The man took of the younger wizard's mask and stroked his beautifully curved chin and lips. A pleasant shiver ran through the young man's body. "Severus, my great potions master, I need your knowledge again!"
He pulled out an empty parchment and with the flick of his fingers a list appeared on it.
"Make these potions and poisons for me. Your Lord will need them…
"As you wish, My Lord."
"Go, I won't keep you any longer. Avery will wait here for you in four days… that will be enough, right?" He asked almost gently.
"Certainly, My Lord."
"Go all my loyal Death Eaters!" Voldemort turned and left.
His servants all Apparated. A few of them stayed and discussed the details and Severus found himself still kneeling on the ground.
He got up, dusted his robes off and glanced at Karkaroff who was watching the young Barty boy.
"We would like you to come with us, Severus." Lucius approached eagerly with Crabbe and Goyle. "But we know you have things to do. We won't keep you."
Severus nodded and left the building.
When he was out of sight he Apparated home.
He found Sarah sleeping with her head on the table: she fell asleep while she was waiting for him. Severus watched her for a while in delight. He put his mask and the parchment down, took off his robes and approached the girl. He gently lifted her head, put her arms around his own neck and took her to the bedroom. She mumbled something half asleep but didn't wake up. Severus laid her on the bed, took off her shoes and tucked her in, then stroked her hands. He kissed her forehead then left the room to let her sleep.
He glanced at the table. It was set for two people and in a glass – they didn't have a vase – some lovely flowers floated. Warmth flooded his heart and he used magic to heat the food up then began eating.
After he finished he went to his own 'kitchen' and took the list with him. The Dark Lord asked a lot this time. He wanted eleven different potions. Severus gathered the ingredients and began working…
Next day, around noon, Sarah came out of her room sleepily. Her hair was messy but she still looked lovely. She glanced sideways and found Severus who was making some potions. He was yawning and could barely keep his eyes open. He left three potions to cool and four was already perfect and ready to go to the Dark Lord.
"You've been making potions all night long?" The girl hugged him from behind.
Severus felt a nice feeling inside him.
"Good morning… I hope I didn't wake you."
"No, of course not." The girl smiled. "Why don't you rest a little?"
"I finish this and after that I'll rest for a while…" The wizard moaned. "I can barely stand on my feel…"
"Do you want me to make something to eat?"
"No, no, thank you, I'm too tired to eat." The man smiled. "But the dinner was very delicious."
"I'm sorry for not waiting for you. I became so tired…"
"It's okay… I had no idea I would came back so late…"
He picked up the spoon and watched how the potion trickled.
"This is ready." He rubbed his eyes. "Would you give me that vial?" He pointed at one.
"Sure."
With the help of a funnel he poured the blue potion into the vial and closed it. He placed it next to the others.
"The rest is for later." He sighed.
He let the girl drag him out of the room. She blew out the lantern too. He moaned softly.
"This couch is horrible." He said with a painful face.
"Do not sleep here!" The girl smiled. She pulled his towards the bedroom.
He sat on the edge of the bed.
"I won't sleep in the bed in dirty clothes…" He muttered.
"Don't worry about that now." The girl took his boots off.
Severus lay down weakly and his black hair spread out on the white pillow.
"Try to concentrate on sleeping now." The girl whispered softly.
The wizard felt his eyelashes drop and he slowly dozed off…