The snake and the lion (Severus x OC)

7- Lord Voldemort

ATTENTION: This chapter includes mention of trauma, violence and death

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Severus Snape looked intrigued at the owl that had landed in front of him.

He had hoped it was a letter from his mother, since it was about time for Eileen to reply, but the owl was holding a thicker than normal newspaper and seemed nervous.

Severus untied the newspaper, paid for it, and nearly choked on his pumpkin juice when he saw the front page. One photo showed a building topped by a green skull with a snake emerging from its mouth. Forgetting about breakfast, Severus read the news.

"NEW INCIDENTS IN CENTRAL LONDON"

"Last night, central London was shocked when a group of hooded wizards entered a muggle tenement and tortured and murdered all its inhabitants.

"The auror team questioned by our reporters has been very cautious when it comes to giving information about these attackers.

"'The only thing we know' tells us a young man determined to preserve his anonymity 'is that these wizards are part of a new gang, that call themselves "death eaters", but I can't tell you anything else.'

"This newspaper recalls that other similar attacks against muggles or muggleborns have occurred throughout England in recent months, and that all of them have been related to these "death eaters." In fact, it is increasingly common to see the so-called "Dark Mark" over attacked places.

"To learn more about the Dark Mark go to page 15.

"What do we know about death eaters?: pages 31-37

"Who is the Dark Lord?: look in the special supplement."

Severus folded the newspaper with a frown. He didn't really like what was happening. He knew Lucius would be delighted with the headline, as he was always talking about the benefits that a cleansing of blood would bring to the wizarding world, but he didn't agree with it.

Throughout his childhood he had lived in a completely muggle neighborhood, and all of them, except for his father, were good people, who did not deserve to be tortured and killed for not having magic. He even had good memories of an elderly neighbor of his, who had taken care of him every time his mother had to go to the hospital...

Throwing the newspaper on the table, Severus looked over to where Rose was. She was also reading the news, and there was a grimace of disbelief and fear on her face. Lily was leaning over her shoulder, and her expression was of pure terror. Severus remembered that her parents were muggles and that was why she must have been worried, thinking that perhaps they too could be the center of the death eaters' wrath.

"Now those mudbloods will know what is good for them," Lucius boasted next to him, very satisfied. "Let's see what their faces look like when they see what awaits them," he suddenly laughed. "Although I think mudblood Evans has already noticed, and from what I see, your little friend too."

"Do you agree with this?" Severus pointed to the newspaper.

"Of course, those mongrels are a pest that must disappear."

"I am also a half-blood; will you make me disappear too?" Severus asked furiously.

"That will depend on which side you're on," Lucius said as if talking about the weather, but his eyes glittered with a dangerous light  "If you are on the right side... you will live, and if not..." he shrugged his shoulders. "If I were you, I would rethink my priorities."