The Return Of Snape [Voldemort X Severus Snape]

chapter 8

Without so much as a knock on his door, Dumbledore came bursting into Severus's office. There was a scratch down the side of his face, as he was panting. "Haven't got long, got Harry in my office," he started, looking at Severus who was shocked to see the old man in such a state. "You'll be summoned soon, get ready, he's going to be furious." He turned as if to leave, but Severus stopped him.

"Albus, what has happened?" he asked him quickly.

"The Prophecy was smashed, and most of the Death Eaters are now in Azkaban," Dumbledore was triumphant in his smile, until it faded. "And Sirius Black is dead." Severus didn't stop him from leaving this time. He merely smirked, watching as Dumbledore left and grabbed his cloak and disapparated.

x-x

Severus could hear the Dark Lord shouting as soon as he stepped into the Manor, so he followed the sound. He didn't have to walk far, at the end of the Entrance Hall the Ball Room was echoing loudly. The furious Voldemort was stood over Bellatrix Lestrange, who was surrounded by a puddle of blood, at that moment gracefully spitting out a mouthful of blood onto, pretty much, the Dark Lord's feet.

"My Lord," Severus said, announcing himself, and bowing lazily to the man in front of him.

Voldemort instantly stepped over Bellatrix and headed towards Severus, kissing him roughly on the lips. "I am glad to finally see some sanity," he snapped, aiming his comment at Bellatrix who was slowly sitting up, coughing up blood.

"Then I fail to see why you were looking at Bellatrix, my Lord," Severus smirked again. "Why is it Bellatrix to be tortured? What has she done this time?" He smiled maliciously down at the woman on the floor, who shot him a look of pure loathing.

"She managed to loose that bloody Prophecy which is now smashed to smithereens." Voldemort shot her a look of loathing this time, which was far stronger then any look Bellatrix could hope to achieve.

"Dumbledore said Black is dead, is that true?" Severus could hardly contain that question. Voldemort chuckled, though Severus could tell it was very forced.

"Why do you not ask Bellatrix that, she was the one that killed him instead of doing what we set out to do." Voldemort turned, and kicked her hard in the ribs, causing more coughing. "Silence, you stupid wench, I could be making this a lot worse for you." There was a pause while he smiled evilly. "I will be making this a lot worse for you when Severus has gone back to the school… I do not wish to waste my time with him on you. You shall be lucky if I allow you to live."

That seemed to crush Bellatrix completely, because she flopped back down to the floor, rivers of tears cleaning away lines of blood down her face. Thankfully, they were silent tears, Severus couldn't handle more noisy crying. "We should not be so harsh my Lord, she did kill Potter's godfather after all."

Voldemort glared. "You can stop acting so happy, Severus Snape, dead Black or no dead Black, we still have not got the Prophecy, and if you do not shut up, you shall be right next to her in your own pool of blood." Voldemort turned, and walked away from both of them. "Come here." Bellatrix started to get up. "Not you, Bellatrix," Voldemort snapped over his shoulder, though Severus wondered how he had seen as his back was turned to her. He then realised that all of the walls of the Ball Room were intricate mirrors, outlined in solid gold. The Dark Lord had probably designed that to confuse his followers in a full midnight meeting, and so that he could see whoever he wanted to in a reflection. He crossed the room, and stood next to Voldemort, ignoring his threat.

"Do not kill Bellatrix," Severus said very softly so only Voldemort could hear. "She may be a silly little slut, a girl inside, but she's an asset at the very least."