Perhaps Another Time, Severus [A Severus Snape Fanfiction]

2000

2000

Malfoy Manor was even more intimidating from the inside, the furniture alone was worth more money than Shaylah would ever see. She hid her shock as Lucius Malfoy approached her and Severus. Severus kept a hand on the small of her back, just to remind her that he was there and she was safe. He had apparently told Voldemort and his associates about her and that she shared the same views and would be an asset to them. All the things she had practiced to pretend to be. 

Lucius held his hand out to Shaylah and she attempted to shake it but was taken aback when he wrapped her fingers in his and planted a kiss on the soft skin of the back of her hand. She fought down the bile that had worked its way into her throat. His touch alone was sickening, this man had killed her friend. Cross’ bloody body flashed in her mind and if Lucius hadn’t been distracted by her hand he might have caught the twitch in her eye.

When he stood again to face her, she had plastered a sweet smile on her face as if she was pleased to meet him. “I’ve heard much about you Shay. Seems you’ve made a deep impression on Severus which is no small feat.”

“It’s a pleasure to meet you Lucius, I’ve heard a great deal about you as well.”

“Yes well, join us please.” He gestured toward the large room she had once watched them congregate in through the window. The ornate table would have sat at least twenty people, but only eight took seats around it. Narcissa, Draco and Lucius Malfoy, Severus, Shaylah, Voldemort, Barty Jr. and Greyback. Severus sat to Voldemort’s left and Shaylah next to him. Lucius sat to Voldemort’s right, his wife Narcissa next to him. Shaylah felt the hair on her arms stand as Barty Jr. pulled out the chair next to her, followed by Greyback. Draco sat next to his mother, an unpleasant look on his face.

“Shaylah, our newest recruit. I hear Severus thinks you will be a great asset, not just to us but to him as well.” Voldemort began, his eyes felt like they were staring directly into her soul. In some ways they were, the one she had so carefully created. Apparently Severus had been a little more forthcoming than she expected.

“Yes sir, I am grateful to be here.” She laced her fingers together in front of her on the table much like Severus had. 

The proceedings were mostly things she had no interest in, Severus was the main focus of Voldemort’s attention. Shaylah’s eyes traced the many portraits that adorned the room. The embellishments on the walls were beautiful. It was hard to believe that at one point in time, the Malfoys had to have been a normal family, before the walls of their home dripped with the evil that would consume the world.

She watched Draco look everywhere but at Voldemort, the boy flinched when he was called on to join the conversation. Shaylah felt they would both rather be anywhere else. Barty Jr. rattled on about the Order and his knowledge of their Headquarters. He was undeniably wrong, but no one to his right was going to correct him. Severus did inform them of Travis’ death, giving credit to one of the few who survived the ordeal and now sat in Azkaban. 

“We should really break out the ones they have imprisoned,” said Barty.

“They really aren’t worth the effort.” Severus countered.

Voldemort nodded. “I agree with Severus, more will take their place. Let the Order keep Azkaban. I don’t intend to use it, I intend for them to be killed.” He threw his arms in the air with a shrug.

The meeting depleted any energy Shaylah still had in her system. Being surrounded by the very people she had been out to kill was exhausting. She slumped onto the bed of the abandoned house. Severus followed, covering her body in his. She smiled. “Will you ever admit you were in that shack?” 

His face was buried in the curve of her neck and she felt his cheeks puff into a smile. “I have never stepped foot in the aforementioned shack.” He whispered into her hair which was smothering him.

She had long ago learned that Severus would only give her bits and pieces of information. He had never stepped foot in the shack, but there were windows and other ways to send a spell to the inside and he knew where she was going, he was the one who had given her the location. “You did well.” He muttered as his hand made its way around her waist to the small of her back.

She let out a heavy sigh. “That was the hardest thing I have ever had to do.”

His hand began to rub up and down her back, soothing the still tightly pulled knots in her gut. “I know love.” He placed a soft kiss on her temple. “I promise it will be worth it.”