A short note before we begin:
Peter Pettigrew revealed the location of the Potters. He did not overhear the prophecy. Only Snape did, and that was a part of it. It's canon. Also, I hope this chapter was worth the wait.
A normal person should never have the thought to, let alone a need to, read such books.
Books on the powers and spells used by Lord Grindlewald.
He literally swept through the entire library to come up with a plan on how to make a fake prophecy.
Of course, no one would ever write a book on "How to make a false prophecy". In today's wizarding world it would be never allowed to published. The medieval period was...a completely different thing.
Is it even legal? Is a false prophecy even mentioned in the law?
He had to gather research and sum it up to get a false prophecy.
The hard work was more to save his life from the Dark Lord than for Dumbledore's plans. Not that the latter is willing to help me with my research, he thought grimly.
He had left it all up to Severus; the spy still remembered the Headmaster's words.
"I am sure that you will find an excellent plan to slither out of this situation.You must."
The way he had spoken the words "slither" and the emphasis on "you" in "you must"...
But it's true, isn't it?
I must. Gryffindors are way too precious.
"He must know! There is no fucking way that he didn't know! He just wanted to spare his master!" Sirius Black shouted to Remus. The werewolf was glad that there were silencing charms put up otherwise Molly'd have their necks.
They were talking about James and Lily, how much they missed them, Peter's betrayal, Harry - and then the topic had come to the attack. Apparently, Sirius was still in denial about that. He believed that Snape had known about that, and did not inform the Order.
"Look, now, Sirius-" Remus started to speak, but was interrupted by the other.
"Look? You tell me to look Remus, but there is nothing to look at. I have failed Lily and James, and now I am failing Harry! All because of that. Greasy. Git!"
"You didn't fail James and Lily. It was-" Remus spoke firmly.
"Yeah, yeah, it was Peter and not my fault. Don't say those words until you mean them."
"I mean them-"
"They're empty. I can literally feel the emptiness."
"That emptiness is your own." Unfortunately for Remus the words did sound as he wanted them to. Sirius got up.
"Padfoot, I didn't mean-" He tried to speak, fully expecting to be interrupted again. He didn't bother to complete the sentence, as the other man had already left the room.
The Dark Lord called.
He had been scribbling ideas on how to make a fake prophecy on various pieces of parchment when his mark pulsed with pain. It was so sudden that he dropped his quill.
In a haste, he wore his Death Eater robes and mask, went to the concealed backyard of his pathetic excuse for a house in Spinner's End, and apparated, the wards informing a certain old man that he had been called.
He appeared in Malfoy Manor's elegant ballroom.
Looking around for His Lord amongst a few brethren present, he spotted the children.
Children of fellow brethren.
His brow furrowed as he could not spot His Lord until he felt cold breath from behind him.
In shock he quickly turned and knelt.
"My Lord. I'm sorry that I could not spot you earlier." He said, pleading filling his voice.
"Rise, my servant, and follow me," said his master, "and for the rest of you, I want a plan ready on how you will spy on the boy." The boy could only be one person - Harry Potter.
He rose and followed him, climbing stairs, visiting corridors, ending up in front of a door which opened into a - bedroom. He tensed. Where, though, is better left unsaid.
Fuck.
The Dark Lord entered it and he followed behind, closing the door. It did not escape his notice that he put up silencing charms and other various privacy charms - for example, locking the door magically. He sat on the bed, beckoning Severus to come sit directly next to him. The latter obeyed, gladly.
"As you are unable to attend to much Death Eater meetings after Hogwarts reopens for the new academic year, I will have to ask you to come to meetings every night." The Dark Lord stated in a very formal and icy voice.
"You need not ask, M'Lord. I shall come whenever you call." His servant replied dutifully.
His master started at his words. "Oh, really, Severus? The events that happened to be when you came back to me say so otherwise."
"I-I..." He never stuttered, but now he found himself lost for words, "My Lord-"
"I do not need to hear your explanation, Severus. I have but one question to ask." He paused, waiting for the other to reply.
"What that may be, my Lord?"
"Are you loyal to me?"
Sirius Black was fed up.
He was fed up with the way Remus was siding with Snivellus. Snivellus of all people. A Death Eater. Just like Peter.
Oh, Peter. He still had the habit of calling him by his first name in his thoughts as well as in speech. He was a traitor, supporting You-Know-Who. Snape was probably - cut that, it could also be a fact - still on the other side - the side with Slytherins and manipulation and evil and cruelty and betrayal -
But Sirius Black felt betrayed. He felt betrayed and he was on the side of the good.
Remus was supposed to be his friend. He was supposed to stay with him, on his side. He not supposed to defend -
Ah, 'supposed'. That's the key word. Expected to behave in a certain manner.
Overwhelmed and angry because of a conflict occurring between his own thoughts (are those thoughts really mine?) he had called Remus up to his room seeking someone to share his feelings with, his anger with and it had ended up - it had fucked up badly.
He was tired of people saying the same thing over and over again. "It wasn't your fault, it wasn't your fault, it was Peter..."
And when he finally said his opinion out loud, there was - "That emptiness is your own."
A small voice in his head told him that Moony hadn't meant it like that, he was trying to say something else, there was a misunderstanding -
Yes, there was, he thought grimly, and a big damn one.
Maybe it was the pain. Maybe it was the betrayal. Maybe it was some- some weird entity of an emotion he was unable to name, to understand, that made him bolt out of the room, blindly grab a cloak he could get his hands on first, and leave Grimmauld Place without any protection whatsoever, no change of facial features, no change of form into Padfoot -
Severus Snape knew he had to choose his words carefully.
The question was so out of the blue - he had been expecting death right away, but certainly not for the Dark Lord to wait for his answer.
He had to pick his words like his life depended on them - which they did, actually.
Any other person would start stuttering in reply. Any other person would beg and tremble with fear. Any other person would say yes, my Lord, I am loyal to you.
But Severus Snape was not any other person. Meeting the gaze of the red eyes, the eyes of terror, he said:
"No, M'Lord, I am not loyal to you. I am a servant to you. I am faithful to you. I am yours."
As he said those words, he watched the in the red eyes intently. He spotted what seemed like mirth in them.
"Ah, I love this trait of yours, Severus. This is what makes you different from the rest. You have an exceptionally creative mind."
He bowed his head. "You are the most appreciating, My Lord. If I have your permission, can I ask you a question? Of course, it is purely your choice to answer it or discard it." I need to know if my cover's in danger.
"Go ahead, my loyal- or should I say, my faithful servant."
"I am curious to know as to why you asked what you did, My Lord." There. Now what happens?
"I wanted to see your naked reaction when you hear Sirius Black is under my captivity."
That mutt's foolishness will get both him and me killed along with rest of the Order this time.
His mind connected the dots in just a second - the Dark Lord's question of his loyalty would bring fear to his mind and cause a dent in his Occlumency shields, which doesn't matter as the dent won't be caused, his shields were far too strong. Proof that the Dark Lord never knew him well enough. Or at least he reckons so yet. That particular dent would allow the true emotion of his reaction to the news - thus revealing his loyalty.
He merely showed a bit of surprise and raised an eyebrow.
"Really, I wouldn't put it past him to run around without any cover on the streets like a dog. Oh, he is one. Honestly, M'Lord, I am surprised that I even feel a bit of surprise at this...amusing news. I was almost expecting for him to snap under the confinement and run away."
A chuckle. "Right now he's unconscious. I know that you will absolutely love to see him, all chained up, under your mercy and begging you to save his life. I will call you again when he awakes. Now, to the important point."
He sat up straighter, attentive and eager to listen.
"Next summer will be taking place the marking of the junior Death Eaters - and for that I will need them trained well."
"You want me to train them, M'Lord?"
His burden was increasing every second.
"Yes. Teach them Unforgivables, Dark curses, hexes, jinxes, potions - anything and everything. I suggest that you begin your training from tomorrow. Train them throughout the school year also - I need powerful and perfect Death Eaters."
He bowed his head. "Your wish is my command; your command is my destiny."
"I didn't know you were so poetic, Severus." The Dark Lord smiled, "Go, now. To the Ballroom. I'll meet you and the others there in a minute's time."
In that moment, the Dark Lord almost felt fatherly to him. He almost felt like he was talking to a man who cared for him, protected him and, hell, loved him. He shuddered inwardly at the latter. Better leave that one out, he thinks.
Dutifully he went downstairs and stepped into the very room.
Phew! It's the longest chapter I've ever written for a fanfic till now. You see those buttons named follow and favourite? And don't forget the review one, too!