The Princess and the Bloodstone

The Dark Lord's Wish

The summon took him to an unfamiliar place, and for a moment the Potions Master stood blinking on a random knoll near a grove of windswept trees. He quickly picked out the neat hedges of Malfoy Manor on a distant hill, almost hidden by the early morning fog.

'I ssought to escape the Malfoys,' a cold, familiar voice explained from behind him, 'I need ssilence when reading.'

Severus swallowed and turned to see the Dark Lord casually sprawled on a bench overlooking a mist-filled valley. He was not looking at Severus, instead staring into the churning fog. A thick leather-bound book was cradled in his lap. The lookout seemed thoughtfully chosen.

He comes here often.

'Then I fear I too shall disturb you, my Lord,' Severus said, bowing deeply.

A chuckle.

Does he know what I did? What I'm doing?

Then the red eyes pierced his own and Severus reflexively threw up his shields.

'On the contrary, you are a welcome sight, Severus. I require someone competent for a — ah — task.'

The Potions Master breathed deeply for the first time since apparating. His Master's mood was not unpleasant, but there was unmistakable frustration etched in his tone.

He doesn't know. Yet.

'Let us walk,' the Dark Lord stated, rising to his full height and making his way down the hill to where Severus stood, head bowed in waiting. A part of him was compelled to hold the Dark Lord with renewed respect now that he knew what exactly the wizard had managed concerning the Horcruxes. Seven splits were an unheard-of feat. Terrible, certainly. But brilliant nonetheless.

Severus obediently fell into step beside his Master. His face was carefully passive and his Occlumency shields were strong. He thanked his stars for being well-rested.

Merlin knows I needed it.

The Dark Lord led him on a narrow path leading into the trees. A part of Severus was fully aware that he might never leave the forest alive. The Dark Lord spoke only when the trees thickened into the forest and the last birdsong died away.

'I hope I did not inconvenience you on this fine Yule morning,' he mused. Perhaps he thought Severus had had nothing planned. But he had a feeling the Dark Lord hoped to have inconvenienced him either way.

'Never, my Lord. I was just about to play a game of Wizard's chess.' A half-truth is always better than a lie.

'I ask a favour of you,' he said, stopping and forcing Severus to cease walking too.

'Anything, my Lord.'

The Dark Lord smiled, his snakelike nostrils flaring momentarily. Red eyes burning.

'I seem to have a problem,' he studied his long nails for a moment, 'concerning Holly Potter.'

Severus waited patiently for him to continue, face and mind blank.

'I have been meditating on her dreams and made great progress. Until recently,' he paused thoughtfully.

He knows.

'I have been blocked from her mind... I expect Dumbledore is aiding her,' his face momentarily contorted with thinly veiled rage. 'However. All is not lost,' he smiled again. 'I have revised my plans and need you to brew a potion. It is complex, and needs your utmost attention and priority.'

'Of course, what is it, my Lord?'

'It is known by its ancient name: Mutatio anima,' he opened the book after almost lovingly stroking the spine and turning it for Severus to see.