Severus had the span of perhaps three seconds to berate himself for not remembering the Ministry official's name before all of his focus came to rest on the group gathered in what appeared to be the Malfoy dungeons. There were only a few – Crabbe, Avery, Nott and Pettigrew stood with their backs to him. Lucius stood facing the door, his usual suave demeanor rather more harried and anxious as he kept his eyes on the wizard to his right. The Dark Lord stood with arms crossed, tapping his wand against the back of his left arm. The fact that he stood in the middle of the dungeon rather than held court abovestairs was enough of a warning. Severus blocked out all memories of the Order meeting and advanced, kneeling as soon as he was within the circle.
"My Lord."
"Up, Severus."
The order was curtly given, but the anger in the Dark Lord's voice had none of the icy sting that signaled trouble. Severus rose, eyeing the group for a hint as to where his place was this time. Voldemort flicked his wand to his right, red eyes cutting around the group to see if anyone dared protest the move. Lucius' skin grew a shade paler, and Severus couldn't help but wonder if it was fear or anger that drained his face.
Envy me not, Lucius, Severus thought as he felt the subtle intrusion of the Dark Lord. Images of his potions laboratory, of the empty bottle of hellebore he had noted needed replacing, of the book sitting by his armchair flitted through his mind. Nothing else was safe to be released. Merlin's beard, but his life was a tedious thing.
"Your dedication is exemplary," the Dark Lord commented casually as the connection was severed. His eyes narrowed. "Something I wish I could say of others in our assembly."
As if in response to the veiled threat, Macnair and Goyle Apparated into the dungeons seconds apart from each other. Goyle was still in a night robe and his bloodshot eyes suggested an evening spent in a pub. Macnair looked slightly more alert, but infinitely more concerned at being the last to appear. They advanced and made their obeisance, wincing as they were silently ordered to their places by a flick of the bone-white wand.
"Death Eaters, I received word last night of a rather interesting development, and I suspect one of you knows more about it than I."
There was a nervous shifting around the circle. Severus controlled the urge to glance at Lucius. He could imagine just how white Malfoy had gone. The Dark Lord would surely have read at least a portion of the tale before the meeting truly began. Lucius' powers as an Occlumens had never been strong.
"Something has happened to The Boy Who Lived, and I want to know which of you instigated the attack."
Silence. Something dripped in the depths of the dungeon. The Dark Lord paced around the circle, fixing each in turn with a penetrating glare that each endured with silent grimaces. When angry, the Dark Lord lost much of his finesse with Legilimency. Snape was grateful that Lucius was before him in the circle. As expected, it took only a few moments before Lucius fell to his knees.
"Forgive me, my Lord. I thought only of advancing your cause."
"Crucio."
The gathered Death Eaters watched, unmoved, as their companion writhed on the dungeon floor. The curse lasted perhaps thirty seconds, then the Dark Lord turned to pace away from Malfoy's prostrate form.
"You are fortunate, Death Eater, that your plan went no worse than it did. "
"But, the boy will soon be defenseless before you, my Lord," Lucius panted. "Dumbledore has had to use what little influence he has left to secure the boy's future at Hogwarts, and I am certain that those within the Ministry who are loyal to us will work to ensure his expulsion. With his wand broken, the boy cannot hope to – "
"Silence." The Dark Lord turned on his heel, peering at Lucius as if he were some vermin to be stamped out. "As I have said, it is fortunate that your plan succeeded as well as it did. I expect you to work to ensure its continued success. We must have both Dumbledore and the boy."
"Yes, my Lord," Lucius said, scrambling to his feet.
"I will accept no further insubordination, Death Eaters," the Dark Lord proclaimed, now addressing the circle at large. "I have been merciful in giving you time to return to my complete service, but the time for mercy is at an end. You have sworn your loyalty to me and I will not hesitate to exact the full measure of that oath."
Severus clamped down his mental shields as the Dark Lord turned to look at him. The red eyes were curiously bright, as if he had reason to gloat over his Potions Master. The idea sent a chill through Snape that he tried to ignore. He, after all, stood the heaviest chance of failing to fulfill his oath to the Dark Lord's satisfaction.
"Now, begone, all of you, and be about your work."
The circle quickly dispersed. Goyle and Nott Disapparated instantly. Macnair took only a moment longer to certain it was safe to leave before he, too, disappeared from the dungeon. Snape made ready to Apparate, only to feel the pressure of the Dark Lord's wand on his left arm, keeping him firmly in place.
"Are the potions complete, Severus?"
Severus closed his eyes. So he had not been wrong in interpreting that look.
"Most of them, my Lord. Unfortunately, the Healer at Hogwarts also expects a large order of potions before the beginning of term, so my attention has been divided –"
"Tut, Severus, surely you don't expect me to believe that a shriveled old mediwitch's bidding is more important than mine?"
"No, indeed, my Lord. I have only two potions left to complete and will bring them to you as soon as they are done."
"I think not."
The Dark Lord's nearly-flippant tone was startling.
"But- My Lord, surely –"
"Oh, you shall finish the potions, Severus. I just think you will have more incentive to complete them if you are here, where your attention is less… divided."
Severus tightened his jaw. He had much to report to Dumbledore before Potter was to be rescued – and he had not delivered the message about St. Mungo's as yet. If Treasa were found out, it would be catastrophe for the both of them.
"Is there a problem, Severus?"
"No," Severus said quietly, his tone even and low. "Not at all, my Lord."
"Queen's knight to D5."
Snape pursed his lips as the black knight half-heartedly engaged Draco's bishop. The set was obviously well-trained by its owner. He raised an eyebrow and looked at the blonde boy seated across from him.
"Should I simply resign now?"
Draco chuckled. "I've had this set for a long time."
"Obviously."
It was after dinner in Malfoy Manor, and Lucius had persuaded him to stay in the drawing room after the meal to "spend some time with the family." Severus had been a frequent visitor to the manor through the years, and knew it would be more trouble than it was worth to try to refuse. The two cauldrons had to simmer overnight anyway, so his one great excuse was no shield. He desperately needed to get back to his own laboratory, contact Dumbledore – but at the moment all he could do was play Wizard's Chess with Draco and suffer humiliating defeat at the hands of his pupil.
Draco's bishop handily took out a pawn. Severus rubbed his right temple in irritation, glancing at Lucius and Narcissa, who were calmly perusing the Daily Prophet by the fire. He buried the frustration with a long sigh, absently sending another pawn forward to be taken by Draco.
"You know, Draco, it is often better strategy to let your opponent think they have the advantage in order to obtain a more complete victory," Severus said as his castle lost a fight with Draco's pawn. Not to mention playing the game rather than simply obliterating your opponent.
Draco laughed again. "Father always said you were the master strategist at school, even as a first year."
Lucius looked up from the paper. "He beat a fifth year in the Slytherin Dueling Club just after Christmas holidays that year." Draco turned, eyes alight with curiosity and Lucius hurriedly added, "No, it wasn't me – though we had a few duels that were Slytherin lore for a while. No, it was…"
"Julius Nigellus," Severus filled in, half-smiling at the memory. He didn't add that he had chosen Julius because he had jinxed Lily Evans in the hall earlier that day, but the satisfaction of beating the boy was still potent.
Draco moved his queen forward and Snape spared the board a second glance to see if he could sneak something in. It was possible… if Draco didn't notice his king's knight over to the side. It would take some time, though, and Severus had little patience for the game when there were so many things he needed to be doing.
"Why don't we have a Dueling Club now?" Draco asked.
"Slughorn disbanded it in my sixth year because some fool tried an Unforgiveable within his hearing," Severus replied. "No student has ever approached me to have it reinstated."
Nor would I agree to it with a war about to begin. All the half-bloods would have to go into hiding.
"Draco has been practicing for years. You remember his second year when that idiot –"
"Lockhart," Draco and Severus supplied.
"Insufferable man." Lucius shuddered, glancing at Severus, "Though, all things considered, not the worst of Dumbledore's picks for Defense teacher."
Severus grimaced. If you'll remember, Lucius, you made sure Lockhart wasn't our biggest problem that year.
Draco moved, but his attention was no longer on the game.
"Professor, do you know who will be teaching Defense this year?"
Severus shrugged. "I know Alastor Moody has declined to take the position again – though he really never had it in the first place."
He joined in the laughter from the other occupants of the room, but the subject reminded him yet again of how much he had to do. Lucius looked contemplative.
"Dumbledore hasn't said anything about a new Defense professor?"
Severus' jaw flexed. He knew that gleam all too well.
"Well, certainly not to me. I won't deny the subject is rather sore between the two of us."
Lucius raised his eyebrows and nodded, returning his attention to the paper. Severus had the distinct impression a new plot was brewing under that blonde hair. Just once, learn from your mistakes, Lucius. His friend had yet to learn the art of not using a connection available to him.
Draco had taken his queen when he wasn't looking. Severus pursed his lips, eyeing the board. He was in check, and the chances of him overcoming with this set were not good. He cast one mock-scathing glance at Draco and toppled his king.
"You weren't checkmated yet, sir," Draco said in surprise, disappointment giving him something of a pout.
"I know when the best strategy is simply to concede," Severus told him. "Another time you will not be so fortunate."
Draco nodded and started picking up the pieces. Severus stood and paced toward the fire, weighing his options. He had to get a message to Dumbledore quickly.
"Lucius, there are several ingredients for the Dark Lord's potion that aren't in your cupboards. I'll need them by morning. Do you suppose the Dark Lord would consider it disobedience to go myself or must I send someone to retrieve them?"
"Shall I send Tilly to your laboratory?" Lucius offered.
"Forgive me, Lucius, but your house elves have done little to convince me of their trustworthiness," Severus said smoothly. "I'll take the Floo and be back within minutes."
Lucius nodded to the jar on the mantel. "Go ahead. If the Dark Lord should question, I'll tell him of my plans for trapping Potter."
Severus stilled. "Oh?"
"I plan to suggest placing several of our best around Potter's house in case Dumbledore attempts to spirit the boy away."
"Indeed." Severus forced a tight smile. "If you want the Dark Lord to agree, I would recommend waiting until he is less irritated by the dementor attack. At least until he's less likely to punish anyone who speaks."
Lucius glanced over at Draco and nodded.
Moments later, Severus was composing a note to Dumbledore in his laboratory.
Death Eaters interested in old prophecy-keeper in St. Mungo's. Warn Ms. Shannon to change work schedule to non-visiting hours to avoid detection. No Death Eaters stationed in Little Whinging at present but Potter must be removed before the end of the week. At Malfoys until potions complete. Will call meeting when free to leave.
He sealed the envelope and held it out. "Fawkes!"
With a burst of flame and scarlet plumage, Fawkes swooped into the laboratory. Thankful for the convenience Dumbledore extended to the Order, Snape handed the envelope to the phoenix. The bird disappeared, leaving behind a single scarlet feather.
Severus dove into the cabinet, coming up with a bottle of Erumpent fluid and a bag of lacewing flies. Lucius wouldn't stock either of those, and if he didn't return within moments, his old prefect would get very suspicious. He took a handful of Floo powder and stepped into the grate. With any luck, Draco wouldn't have another chance to trap him into Wizard's Chess before he got to leave.