The Other Side: A Harry Potter FanFiction

Part III Chapter XXIX

Severus maneuvered the halls of Hogwarts castle, his black cape flowing gracefully behind him. It wasn't often the Dark Lord called a sudden, emergency meeting. The tattoo of the Dark Mark still pulsed painfully on his forearm.

            As he reached the entrance to the old Slytherin common room, Severus held out his hands as if to push his way in. Without even touching it the wall split open and allowed him inside, where about a dozen people were waiting for him.

            Voldemort stood in the center of them all, his snake wrapped around his feet. Dark eyes turned to him, he grinned and said, "Welcome, Severus."

            "I apologize for my being late," Severus said in his low, monotone voice.

            "Apology accepted," Voldemort said, "We hadn't even started yet. Please, join us."

            "If I may be so bold," Bellatrix Lestrange said, "Why is it exactly you've called us all here? I was in the middle of a very intriguing interrogation."

            "I'm sure you were, Bellatrix, but, as it happens, I, myself, was overlooking an interrogation," Voldemort explained, "A half-blood, Mundungus Fletcher. He'd been in hiding, like the rest of the Order of the Phoenix, however when he was seen outside the Ministry, he surrendered himself to a few of my officers."

            "I've heard his name before," Rodulphus, Bellatrix's husband, muttered. "He's a con-artist. A liar, a cheat."

            "Yes, a liar he may be," Voldemort agreed, "But, under the precise amount of... persuasion, he was willing to talk. And I believe what he said had the utmost truth to it."

            Severus cocked his head to the side a bit. "And?"

            "I fear... a rebellion may be at work."

            There was a deafening silence before Bellatrix asked, "Rebellion?"

            "Uprising, revolution... call it what you will. Fletcher very clearly stated that there'd been word from the original Order of the Phoenix of recruitment... for an army. And army against me."

            "Did he happen to say where the Order is based?" Lucius Malfoy asked, his words almost stuttering.

            "No, unfortunately," Voldemort replied disappointedly, "Whether he lacked the knowledge or was simply foolish enough to refuse to hand the information on to me, his death was inevitable from the beginning. My Nagini has been fed well today."

            As if in agreement, the snake hissed and continued to circle its master's feet.

            "What do you suggest, my lord?" Severus asked somewhat nervously.

            "I suggest that you all look into it. Do whatever you have to; I want to know who the mastermind behind this idiotic act is, and where to find them. I want to look them in the eyes before I personally end them."

            "My lord," Severus said, "If I may, I believe it would be rather difficult, if not impossible, to find the location of such a person. The base of the Order is currently unknown, and seeing as we have no information available to us other than that of the late Mundungus Fletcher-"

            "We do not need Mundungus Fletcher," Voldemort spat, "We need a member of the Order. You can find them anywhere. I'd be willing to venture that one of you, here, has a special secret."

            Everyone stiffened then. "What do you mean by that, my lord?" Lucius asked, his voice near a whisper.

            "That was not aimed at you, Lucius," Voldemort said, over-exaggerating the s's. He turned his dark eyes to Severus. "Is there anything you would like to share with the rest of us, Severus?"

            Severus appeared appalled for a split-second before wiping his expression clear again. "I have no idea what you could mean, my lord."

            "Tell me the truth, Severus," Voldemort said. Everybody was staring at him intensely, waiting for him to speak.

            "Have I ever given you reason to mistrust me, my lord?" Severus asked, "I've always been loyal to you."

            "Then why were you seen escorting muggles to an unknown location? This is my question."

            Severus was silent for a moment. He couldn't form a single thought with all the Death Eaters and the Dark Lord staring him down. He gulped and said, "They were not muggles."

            "Oh?"

            "They were actually supporters... your supporters," Severus explained, formulating the story in his head. "But they were afraid to be out in public... there are people who dislike you, my lord. They wanted to go to a safe location where they would not be bothered. I've been taking a few every night. I don't see why this is such an issue, my lord. It is nothing but a... misunderstanding."

            Voldemort seemed to study him for a long moment. Finally he said, "I hope, for your sake, Severus, that you are not lying to me."

            "I would never, my lord," Severus said, "I will be forever your faithful servant."

            There was another long silence. When he finally spoke, his voice was quiet, as if he was still unsure. "You may go."

            "Thank you, my lord." Severus bowed his head slightly before turning and hurrying out of the room.

            "Severus," Voldemort called, "If I were you, I would watch my back. You never know who is watching."