AN: Let me know your thoughts on how this is progressing! If you are enjoying the story so far I would really appreciate a review if you are able to spare a couple of minutes. Thanks for reading!
When Severus Snape finally reached the sanctuary of the converted wine cellar in the basement at Malfoy Manor that now served as his potions laboratory, the moon was high in the night sky. After the fiasco in Greyback's lair and his uncharacteristic lack of judgement that lead him to cast the Mosmorde and draw the vast majority of Voldemort's Death Eaters to his side, the Dark Lord had insisted on a full scale interrogation which had lasted several hours.
He firmly locked and warded the door before placing both hands on the work bench and letting his head hang wearily between them. Voldemort had been most displeased to find that his Potions Master was not where he left him, and he had been quite enthusiastic in demonstrating that his orders were not to be disobeyed. Fortunately, he had also been quite insistent that his potions master survive to complete his work and had reluctantly administered some healing when he realised he had been a little over zealous and for him to create a potion that would allow him to evade death would require full use of his body and mind. The healing had done little to remedy Severus's ailing health, but had at least restored use of his limbs, and for that he was thankful.
Voldemort was also somewhat irritated by the poor condition of his werewolf chief, who by all accounts, was fortunate to be alive. The arrival of a vast horde of blood hungry Death Eaters had not worked out well for the scheming wolf and his merry pups and they had received beating to within an inch of their lives. Several had to be put down as a result, their battered carcasses dumped in the woods that bordered the grounds of Malfoy Manor, but Voldemort had opted to save their chief and had left him in the hands of Alecto Carrow to nurse back to health. Poor bastard.
Taking several deep breaths to steady himself, he finally pushed away from the worktop and wandlessly summoned a bottle of firewhisky and a glass to him before slumping heavily into the worn leather armchair. Unstoppering the bottle, he poured himself a generous measure which he swallowed in one mouthful before pouring another. Tonight had been a disaster. Never before had he felt so out of control. Ever since his desertion all those years ago when he had first learned of the threat facing Lily and her family, he had strived to keep a tight control of events around him and the carefully ordered structure of his life had been his only relief from the crushing pain of his betrayal. That had lead to Lily's death. He swallowed hard, draining the glass in one before pouring a third. He closed his eyes as Lily's face forced its way into his consciousness and he bit his lip to hold back a sob. Lily. I failed you, and now I've failed Hermione. With a snarl he threw the glass as hard as he could against the wall, swiftly followed by the bottle. He lurched to his feet, and stormed over to the potions cabinet where he swept his hand across the shelves, swiping bottles and jars of ingredients to the floor as he moved. The rage surged inside him as the green of Lily's eyes morphed into honey brown, and a face framed by wild curls and he felt something inside him break. With a roar he grabbed hold of the bookcase and turned it over, scattering books and instruments across the floor with a crash. Breathing hard, he turned his attention to the racks of empty bottles and cauldrons and attacked them with unrestrained fury, relishing the sharp sound of glass smashing as they fell. He could hear raised voices and frantic banging at the door but he ignored it, choosing instead to turn his wand on the worktop. He had been foolish with his heart before and it had cost Lily her life. Had he learned nothing? He lashed the worktop with scorching jets of fire before abandoning his wand and using his hands to knock the carefully ordered equipment across its surface and careening into the wall with a clatter.
"Severus! Open the door!" Lucius shouted, his voice a mixture of frustration and concern.
He ignored him. His chest was heaving, breaths coming in short pants as staggered to a stop and surveyed the destruction around him. He had been a fool to believe he could love another. He had allowed himself to succumb to his greatest weakness: the need to be loved.
The pounding at the door increased. "Snape! You better not be destroying that extremely expensive lab the Dark Lord had made for you, he'll have my head if you are!"
A sudden rush of clarity flooded him and he felt himself go cold. The potion! He cast his eyes about wildly, searching for the small vial containing the protype and finally saw it resting amongst the shattered remains of his ingredients rack. In two strides he had crossed the room and retrieved it with shaking hands. Thank Merlin! He had remembered to reinforce the glass with an unbreakable charm. Cursing his moment of weakness, he surveyed the carnage around him. Thousands of galleons' worth of potions ingredients and equipment – all destroyed. On any other day he would've been apoplectic with such waste but today he was just relieved the potion had survived. Too close. As he eyed the swirling liquid within the bottle, he felt a sense of calm and order wash over him.
Hermione and Dumbledore thought him lost to the Dark Lord, seduced by the darkness within him. The pain in her eyes before she had been whirled away by Dobby had confirmed that she had believed it, the sagging in Dumbledore's frame yet another confirmation. They would return to Hogwarts and pronounce him as the traitor so many had always believed him to be. So be it. It would make it easier. He forced the pain emanating from his heart away, firmly locking it away. It was time to get on with business.
"Severus! For the love of Merlin, if you don't open this door right now –"
Moments later, Lucius practically fell into the room as Severus jerked the door open and fixed him with an irritated stare.
"Yes?" he snapped, raising an imperious eyebrow.
Lucius strode past him, sweeping into the room and looking about him in disbelief.
"I heard –" he stuttered as he cast about him wildly. Neatly ordered jars and bottles adorned the wall shelves, whilst a cauldron bubbled away gently in the centre of the workbench. A crystal glass stood beside a half empty bottle of firewhiskey on the small table beside the old armchair. He turned to look at Severus, mouth open in shock, "I don't understand, I –" he spluttered.
Severus remained with one hand on the door and gestured for Malfoy to leave.
"Lucius, today has been rather trying and as much as I value your friendship, I do not wish to wile away what little remains of this night with a jabbering wreck. Kindly remove yourself from my lab before I lose my patience and do something I regret." He twirled his wand idly in his hands as he eyed his friend coldly.
"Well there's no need to be rude, Severus! I was fearful for your safety, that is all!" Lucius groused as he made for the door. He was only too aware of Severus's power and knew well enough not to vex him. He paused as he came level and he peered closely at his face. "You ought to get some rest my friend, you are looking somewhat drawn out."
"Goodnight Lucius," Severus ground out, pushing him into the hallway and slamming the door shut with a force that made the walls shake.
He had work to do.
XXX
"Thank you all for coming," Dumbledore announced as he scanned around the room and the assembled members of the Order of the Phoenix. "There has been a development that cannot wait until our next scheduled meeting as it has dire implications for the safety of us all." There was a pregnant pause.
"Get on with it Albus, " Minerva interjected, her patience already stretched thin. Dumbledore, Hermione and Dobby had apparated back into the hospital wing earlier that night and had said nothing at all to her, other than a short mumble about assembling the Order before taking himself away to his office. Likewise, Hermione had not wanted to talk and had shakily given her excuses before leaving, neglecting even to ask after Ron, who had already been transferred to St Mungo's for specialist treatment. Minerva had been left dumb founded and somewhat irritated by the lack of information.
Dumbledore eyed her over his spectacles, "Indeed, time is of the essence." He cleared his throat . "As you are all aware, Severus was grievously wounded earlier this week and was subsequently removed from the hospital wing by Lucius Malfoy. He was receiving end of life care at that time and we fully anticipated him to succumb to his injuries and an unknown complication that had developed. Shortly after his abduction we were made aware that the complication was that Severus had tested positive for lycanthropy."
There was a murmur around the room as the members whispered amongst themselves, casting furtive looks at Remus Lupin who stared steadfastly at the Headmaster as though he were the only person in the room. Dumbledore raised his voice to regain order.
"It may come as a surprise to some of you, that Severus had in fact, recently developed a successful cure for lycanthropy and had completed a successful trial in the wider wizarding community. We were able to attend him at Malfoy Manor and administer the cure. It is my understanding that the cure was indeed successful."
"Pity, I can't help but feel that a long and painful death is exactly what our dear Snape deserves," Sirius muttered under his breath. Minerva gave him a sharp look and he shrugged in response. She rolled her eyes in disgust and turned her back on him, only for Mad-Eye to take up the mantle.
"This is a charming tale Dumbledore! How relieved I am that our friendly Death Eater has had his skin saved just in the nick of time – shame the same couldn't be said about Lily and James when that bastard sold them out to Voldemort!" he raged. "No last minute rescue for them!"
"Have you forgotten all he has done since that time to try and redeem himself?" Dumbledore offered calmly. "You've seen what he has been put through, what he has endured?"
"Just get to the point Dumbledore and explain what the sneaky cretin has done this time to threaten our security!" Mad-Eye groused.
"I will get to that particular issue in due course, Alastor," Dumbledore offered. As he glanced around the room he could see that Hermione had slipped in and had settled beside Harry and Remus. He gave her a little nod, which she acknowledged with a grim expression.
"Shortly after his recovery, Severus resigned from his post at Hogwarts and is now residing with the Malfoy's at their family home. I am reliably informed that Lord Voldemort insists that Severus remain there to craft a new strengthening potion for him."
"I imagine that was a real hardship for poor Sevvy," Sirius muttered, his face set in a scornful grimace, "playing potions with his Death Eater friends!"
"Sirius!" Remus admonished, "Hear him out would you!"
"Normally, It wouldn't be unusual for Severus to attend Lord Voldemort in this way, however in events that transpired this evening it would appear that Severus has switched allegiance," Dumbledore offered ruefully.
There was a sharp intake of breath before the room erupted into furious discussion, punctuated by the gloating laugh of Sirius Black.
"The traitor returns! I knew it!"
"Never! I won't hear of it – Severus is loyal to us, to the cause!" Minerva snapped in fury.
"You daft old woman, open your eyes!" Mad-Eye snarled, surging to his feet, "Once a Death Eater, always a Death Eater!"
"Silence!" roared Dumbledore, and all noise abruptly ceased, faces turning back to face him in various states of shock and surprise.
"There will be time enough to ruminate on this news, but it is imperative that we ensure the safety of the Order and of the students at Hogwarts. This must be our priority!"
"Albus, I am going to require more proof than your word that Severus has returned to the Dark Lord's favour!" Minerva hissed, "After all, your word has been worth little of late and I am not ready to give up on Severus just yet! I know him, and I trust in his loyalty to us, as should you after all he has done and sacrificed!"
There was another roar as the Order members launched into furious debate, silenced only when Hermione clambered onto the dining table and stamped her feet furiously. As a sea of heads turned towards her, she cleared her throat and addressed the room.
"It's true," she stated simply, "I witnessed his defection first hand."
Minerva paled, bringing a hand to her throat in shock, "No –" she breathed.
"Yes, Minerva," her eyes softened, "I know how you feel about Severus – you all know how I felt about him, but if you could have seen him tonight it would have left you in no doubt. As much as it hurts me to say it," her voice broke and she swallowed hard, "but I saw it in his eyes – he has betrayed us. He cast the Mosmorde." She finished with a small shrug.
"Hermione, I –" began Harry as he made towards her, his expression grim, "Did he hurt you? I swear to Merlin if he laid a finger –"
She shook her head. "No Harry, he didn't hurt me. But he made it very clear that what we had is over, and that he no longer wishes to serve Dumbledore."
"I'll kill the bastard!" Sirius shouted, his hands curling into fists as he surged upwards. Remus reached for him and put a restraining arm around his chest.
"It is not the answer, my friend," he whispered calmly. "Perhaps we can talk to him?"
"You're my oldest friend Remus, but you do say the most ridiculous things sometimes! Why not invite him round for tea and cake and we can laugh together gaily about how he serves the Dark Lord! I'm sure he's more than happy to bend over the workbench for his Lord –"
"Sirius Black! Mind your tongue!" Minerva scolded, her eyes blazing in fury.
"Must be difficult hearing your golden boy has turned tail, hey Minerva?" he spat back.
"With both your cousins in the fold he has no lack of Black company, has he? I'm sure they could tell a tale or two about bending over backwards for Voldemort!" she retorted.
"It's lucky I still hold respect for you Minerva –" Sirius hissed, shaking his head and turning away in disgust.
"This fighting will not help!" Harry roared, and as his voice carried over the room, the voices subsided and an uneasy silence settled upon them.
"If Severus has indeed return to serve Lord Voldemort, then Dumbledore is right – the very Order itself is in danger!"
"I'm not scared of the big black bat!" Mad-Eye sneered, his magical eye revolving furiously.
"You should be," murmured Dumbledore, "he is my Secret Keeper."
XXX
Mulciber was a volatile and impatient man, used to getting his own way whenever he wanted it. He did not care for, nor did he have any skill in potions making and he had the distinct impression that his posting at Hogwarts was some kind of torturous punishment. Why send him here? Surely Snape could continue in his role here and still make potions for the Dark Lord? There were ingredients aplenty and all the equipment he would ever need. It was at times like this he seriously wondered about his Lord and whether his brain had been addled by too much close contact with Mad Bella. They said these things were catching.
He swirled his firewhiskey around the glass whilst staring into the fire in Snape's study. Lucky git had had the best of it, plush living accommodation, pretty witch to warm his bed –
Suddenly the fire roared into life, turning green as the very man he was envying appeared in the flames.
"Mulciber," Snape greeted stiffly. There was no love lost between the two. They hadn't gotten along at school and they certainly didn't get along as adults. Truth be told, he had always been jealous of Snape and the easy way he'd just breezed his way into their group. It had taken him years of doing all Lucius asked of him, no matter how dirty just to get him to notice him and yet Snape had just turned up, with his unusual wand and all that power – ugh. The memory was unpleasant and only served to darken his mood.
"Snape," he replied gruffly, toasting the glass he held, "Nice collection of firewhiskey you have here – well, did have, that is."
"I can't imagine someone like you fully appreciating the calibre."
"What is that supposed to mean?" Anger flared within him, at the arrogant way the younger wizard stared at him with that haughty expression and that damned raised eyebrow, "Someone like me?"
"You won't find anything that refined in the places you frequent," Severus drawled.
"Says the mudblood lover! What do you know about refinement?" he snarled, hurling the glass at the fire where it hit the chimney wall behind and shattered. "You know nothing of class, you're nothing but a slum boy like me, born to a whore and raised in the gutter!"
Snape did not reply, his cold gaze unflinching, his eyes dark pools in which Mulciber could see the simmering ire that lurked there. He began to feel distinctly uneasy. Snape was capable of some pretty dark magic and he really couldn't afford to provoke him, no matter how much he despised him. He spun away from the fire and seized another bottle from the dresser, unstoppering it and pouring another generous measure into a fresh glass. "What do you want anyway? Pining for your potions?" he muttered.
"The Dark Lord requires an audience with Dumbledore."
"And how is that my problem?"
"It may have escaped your notice but you are now the resident Death Eater at Hogwarts, which means we are relying on you, more's the pity."
"This place is more heavily warded than Circe's knickers!" he spluttered as he choked on his firewhiskey, "I can hardly just waltz up to the gates with a welcoming committee!"
"If you had a brain, you'd be dangerous. There is a Vanishing Cabinet in the Room of Requirement that has a twin at Borgin & Bourkes."
"And?" he threw himself stroppily into the chair. He did not like the sound of this.
"And, you ignorant hippogriff arse, it will allow safe passage of Lord Voldemort and a number of our friends into Hogwarts."
Mulciber pondered the thought for a moment then sat forward in his chair, "Sounds too simple Snape, are you setting me up?" He narrowed his eyes.
"Why would I bother? You are most apt at making a complete fool out of yourself without my help."
Mulciber sneered in reply, showing two rows of uneven, blackened teeth, "Watch your mouth Snape! You might have everyone else convinced you're one of us but I'm not so sure!"
"I don't have the time or inclination to argue with you, I shall merely inform the Dark Lord that you are not up to the task –"
"Now let's not be too hasty!" Mucliber stuttered. He knew only two well how Voldemort rewarded failure and he did not want to fail again. He barely survived the last time. "How do I find this requirement room?"
"Speak to Draco, he will assist you."
"And when exactly am I supposed to sort this? I'm too busy playing with your damn chemistry set to go finding secret rooms and bloody vanishing furniture!"
"I strongly suggest you go tonight. The Dark Lord wishes to surprise Dumbledore tomorrow so you'd better be ready. You do know how much he hates being kept waiting."
As the flames spluttered out and the fire died, Mulciber snarled at the darkened hearth before rising to his feet and setting off in search of Draco, a stream of obscenities reverberating off the stone as he stomped down the corridor.
XXX