If a Great Wave Shall Fall (Severus Snape & Lily Evans)

Chapter Five

Disclaimer: I'm not British, I wish I was, but I'm not

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When Severus awoke the next morning, he forgot where he was momentarily, thinking that he would wake up in the cramped room at the Burrow. He sat up, his head turning wildly as memories of the day before flooded to him. The Dark Lord had asked – rather commanded him – to spy on Dumbledore. Grimacing, he got out of the large bed and found another set of black robes hanging over the side of an armchair near the fire place. After the meeting was adjourned and the Dark Lord disappeared in a mass of black robes, Lucius had told him if the Dark Lord saw him ready, he would be branded by the end of the month. Severus shuddered at the thought of carrying around a bit of that mad man's magic for the rest of his life.

Judging by the feeble rays of light coming through the window, the sun was barely rising. Once he finished dressing, he placed his wand in his holster, remembering Lucius's warning last night, "Be wary of Bella, she likes to surprise new recruits, keeping them on their toes." Severus shuddered at remembering her hyena like laughter.

Slightly stumbling down the stairs, Severus managed to navigate his way to the Breakfast Room, and was utterly shocked to find the Dark Lord there. Instantly, Severus dropped to one knee behind the Dark Lord, "My Lord," Severus said, waiting to be told to stand.

"Severus, rise, there is a matter we need to discuss." The Dark Lord's voice was rich and deep, and he sounded actually quite amused. Severus obeyed his soon-to-be master and followed him outside; the way the Dark Lord walked, it looked like his feet were barely touching the ground, but he still seemed to be walking with much purpose.

Malfoy Manor had extensive grounds and with that, a rather pointless maze in the middle of it, without hesitation, the Dark Lord walked into it. Severus followed, memorizing every turn they took as they went along, not wanting to be caught unprepared. Once they were rather far into it, the Dark Lord stopped abruptly, nearly causing Severus to run into him. "This is far enough," and with a concealed word, he conjured a table and two chairs, taking up the more intricate one and gesturing for Severus to take the one across from him.

The Dark Lord and Severus sat there, the younger looking around his surroundings, while the older was watching him do so. "Severus, Lucius informed me that you're superior at potions. Is this true or was he just exaggerating?"

Severus shrugged as he said, "All others say that I am, and I am the top of my class, so yes you could say that I am superior at potions." He was careful to keep up the strongest Occlumency shields that he could and still be able to carry out an intelligent conversation.

The Dark Lord chuckled at the Hogwarts student in front of him, "Lucius also said that you were modest," here Severus allowed the corners of his mouth twitch up slightly, giving the slightest hint of a smile, "Do you think that you could brew a few potions for me, Severus? They would be used to... persuade... friends of mine to speak a little more freely." The Dark Lord smiled to himself at his own little joke.

"It would be an honor, My Lord," Severus said with as much awe and willingness he could place in his voice, sounding just like the willing servant he was playing. "I will of course need a place to work along with the necessary ingredients and directions for the potions you require."

"Good, now..." his voice lost all humour which made Severus go on high alert, "I can enter all of my servant's minds with ease, even those who have been taught the ways of Occlumency... but yours – yours is a different matter entirely." The Dark Lord let his words hang in the air before he continued, "Why is that Severus, surely you have nothing to hide from me. Despite you not yet bearing my Mark, you come with many high recommendations that I have come to expect no less of you than I do of my full servants."