The Return Of Snape [Voldemort X Severus Snape]

chapter 1

The Dark Lord. Snape's eyes moved back straight ahead from him, to the occupant of the throne. He was hardly aware of the Death Eaters around him. Somewhere, he could swear he'd seen Lucius's blonde hair standing out, but such things didn't matter at that moment. Inside his white mask, as he got closer to his Master, he lowered his eyes, and fell to his knees a few meters away from the throne.

"This is the first time you have been late in over thirty years, Snape," observed Voldemort not looking up from his snake. Severus never did get why he was so obsessed with that snake. It had been Voldemort's pet for a long, long time. Voldemort stood up, letting Nagini fall to the floor, gracefully. He then walked down the steps of the dais the throne was settled on, and around his faithful servant.

Snape didn't comment, he didn't need to reply to that. He felt fingers under his chin, lifting him to a standing position. "Look at me," Voldemort ordered softly. Severus did as required, and gently, still looking into Voldemort's eyes, placed one hand on the one under his chin. Voldemort smiled, that terrible smile Snape remembered so well. "So bold, so brilliant," his Master whispered to him. "Are your defences up, though?"

Snape felt himself relax. This was important, very important and he didn't want Voldemort to suspect that his loyalties were elsewhere- when in fact they were totally with Voldemort. He knew what was to come next, and it came quickly. Voldemort was probing deep into his mind, finding the deepest secrets of his heart. The Dark Lord withdrew, and looked at Snape properly.

"You are, indeed, my faithful servant still, Severus. People here thought it otherwise," said Voldemort gesturing around him to several people. "But Lord Voldemort always knows, always." Snape soon realised that they were being watched, he let his hand drop from Voldemort's. His Master's gaze fell upon his mask once more.

"It irks me, Snape. You told me to go after the Potter's, and I, being so trusting, and so merciful after your little slip up in the pub that day, did so." Voldemort's face wasn't readable, but Snape wasn't stupid. He knew he was on a thin line here, one which was about to snap if he didn't tread carefully. "And I kill James without any problems, as I am sure you would have done. Lily, well, you told me about her, my Severus." The eyes were back on him, after flicking around the circle for any sight of emotion from the other followers.

"She was very protective of her son, dear Harry Potter." There was a small shudder at his name, and a few murmurings which Voldemort silenced with a small flick upwards of his fingers. "Her idiocy protection was the first stage of my downfall, and stopped me from getting the stone. Alas, Snape, you knew that. I tried to kill him, did I not, my friends? I tried, but I was beaten by the mere infant he was at the time. He's grown into such a handsome boy, do you not think?" Voldemort laughed once more, cold, cruel and mirthless. When Snape did not reply, Voldemort sat back down, drumming his fingers irritably on the arm of his throne.

"Leave us," he told the Death Eaters. They all left the room quickly, although Severus hardly noticed them in the first place and did not care.

"Severus, do you not think that it upsets me greatly that you will not speak to me?" Voldemort finally asked.

"My Lord," Snape whispered to him, stepping forwards and kneeling. "Harry Potter… he is nothing compared to you… nothing…"

"Crucio," spat Voldemort, aiming his wand at Snape. The screams were awful, ear shattering, but Voldemort seemed to be taking some pleasure out of the man's screams. He stood up, and kicked his servant onto his back. "I am aware of that, Snape, yet it worries me somewhat. How would an infant, of but one year old, defeat Lord Voldemort? When no other can, when so many have tried? There is one thing, Snape, one thing. The Prophecy means something about him, and I am determined to find out what. You will help me, Severus?"